BIOPHILE 16 — JUNE/JULY 2007 R25 - Biophile Magazine

Paint is the general term for a family ofproducts used to protect and add colourto an object or surface by covering it with apigmented coating.Paint is very common and is applied toalmost every kind of object. It is a method ofproducing art, an industrial coating, a preservative(rust-prone steel auto bodies), oninterior walls, on exterior surfaces exposedto weather and has a myriad of other uses.There are generally four components topaint: Binder, Solvents, Pigments and Additives.However, only the binder is absolutelyrequired. The binder is the part whicheventually solidifies to form the dried paintfilm. Simplified a binder is a long chain ofcarbon atoms.The solvent serves to adjust the viscosityof the paint. It is volatile and does notbecome part of the paint film.Pigments are materials which give paintscolour and other optical properties.Anything else is an additive.Typical synthetic binders include resinssuch as acrylics, polyurethanes, polyestersand formaldehydes.Natural binders include plant oils(linseed or sunflower oil), beeswax or milkprotein.Typical synthetic solvents includeketones, esters, glycol ethers and aromatichydrocarbons.Natural solvents may comprise gumturpentine or orange peel oil. Water is also acommon solvent.Synthetic pigments in general are manufacturedby rather toxic and very energyconsuming processes. In addition a lot ofthese pigments contain large amounts ofheavy metals like lead.Natural paints normally contain pigmentsof natural origin, the so called “earthpigments”. These have the advantage thatthey are available in abundance. Their coloursare exceptionally harmonic, conservativeand unobtrusive.Typical additives include syntheticcatalysts, thickeners, stabilisers, emulsifiers,adhesion promoters, matting agents andthe like.Natural paints may contain additives likerosemary or eucalyptus oil, known for theirharmonious health and aromatic qualities.All of the above synthetic componentswhich are made from crude oil or so calledpetrochemicals are known to contain manytoxins which are partially known to causecancer, ozone depletion, lead poisoningand respiratory problems, as some of theseingredients evaporate from the paints overmany years, causing allergies and otherunhealthy discomfort to the human environment.Even the highly promoted waterbased synthetic paints are not free of thesetoxins.Natural paints make a healthy difference.They are safe to use, safe to throwaway, with excellent quality and coverage.Natural paints promote healthy living byeliminating toxic fumes, providing beautifulcolour and care, and improving indoor airquality. What’s more, most natural paints are100% biodegradable.Natural paints are made from fullyrenewable natural ingredients that disruptthe ecosystem as little as possible. Naturalpaints usually have a linseed oil base,possibly combined with other high qualityplant oils and extracts, resins, pigments, andsolvents such as genuine oil of turpentinewhich makes coatings that are both flexibleand biodegradable.This results in products that disrupt theecosystem as little as possible, while notusing valuable and finite resources such ascrude oil.Natural paints are manufactured accordingto the principles of “Gentle Chemistry”.A considerable part of the production doesnot take place in a factory, but inside livingplants. Solar energy leads to photosynthesis,which gives us an abundance of natural substances,with low energy input and withouthazardous waste.Future Prospects and ProjectsEnviroTouch is the only company inSouth Africa currently producing a rangeof 100% natural finishes, including wallpaints as well as wood and stone finishes.Paints and other decorative finishes madefrom natural raw materials are aimed at themarket as direct replacement for today‘sconventional paints manufactured from petrochemicals.Natural paints do not containpetrochemicals. Only where natural, renewablematerials pose a health risk to the userwould synthetic raw materials be used.Modern paint technology, advancedchemistry knowledge and exacting productionstandards ensure that natural paints offera high standard of protection, durabilityand ease of use, in addition to the obvioushealth, safety and environmental benefits.We strive for highest local content insourcing our raw materials, we promoteour products by providing information andsamples to the public and the professions,promote involvement of urban communitiesin providing raw materials, i.e. grow linseedfor oil et cetera, and finally, by ongoing R&D– research and development.For further details or other enquiriesplease contact us on0860 105 299 or visit our website:www.pronature.co.za.Biophile Issue 1645