Understanding the terminology

Sustainability can be a vague and complex theme. We want to be as clear as possible about how we interpret the leading definitions to prevent misunderstandings or greenwashing.

Organic & Inorganic Materials
 

Organic and inorganic materials are two broad categories used to classify substances based on their chemical composition and structure. The classification is based on the presence or absence of carbon-hydrogen bonds.

• Organic materials are typically derived from living organisms or their byproducts. (E.g: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, oils, etc.) Inorganic materials are derived from minerals or non-living sources. (E.g: metals, minerals like limestone and mica, glass, salts, etc.)

Bio-Based
 

Bio-based technology refers to the utilization of renewable biological resources, such as plants, algae, and microorganisms, to develop products or materials.
These materials are considered more environmentally friendly and sustainable than their traditional, petroleum-based counterparts, as they are made from renewable resources and often have a lower carbon footprint.

Biodegradability
 

Biodegradability refers to the ability of an organic material to be broken down and decomposed by natural processes (bacteria & microorganisms) into elements found in nature within a specific time frame. Besides that, inorganic materials are excluded from the biodegradation definition because they do not contain Carbon and Hydrogen bonds.

Biodegradability is a key characteristic of the organic compounds in our biobased coatings. When these coatings reach the end of their lifecycle or need to be removed, they naturally break down into harmless organic compounds and become nutrients for the environment. This is the lifecycle journey of the starch beginning from the earth and ending in the earth.

(Acute) toxicity
 

Acute toxicity refers to the harmful effects caused by a substance resulting from either a single exposure or multiple exposures over a brief period, typically less than 24 hours. To be categorized as acute toxicity, adverse effects must manifest within 14 days of exposure to the substance. 

Microplastics

Microplastics are small plastic particles that are less than 5 millimeters in size. They can persist in the environment for a long time due to their resistance to degradation. Microplastics are a growing concern due to their widespread presence in the environment, including marine and freshwater ecosystems, soil, air, and even in the food chain. They can be ingested by various organisms, potentially causing harm and disruption to their health and ecosystems.  

Microplastics in our current coatings? Synthetic polymers used in coatings, such as acrylics, epoxies, do not inherently contain microplastics. These polymers are typically manufactured as larger molecules and do not have microplastic particles intentionally added to them.  However, it's important to consider the potential of generating microplastics during the lifecycle of coatings.