Kunststoff-Institut: Sustainable future for surface coatings

How sustainable are coated plastics and how can they be made fit for the cycle? What product carbon footprint (PCF) can be expected with the different coating processes? Which parameters have which influence and how can the PCF be reduced? What legal requirements will companies face? How should this complex issue be tackled? Coated plastics are increasingly being called into question and established processes such as painting, printing, film back-spraying, electroplating, etc. are to be avoided wherever possible. Do they really have as bad a balance sheet as their reputation suggests? The Kunststoff-Institut doesn't think so and will be investigating this from April in the two-year joint company project Surface Treatment 13. The aim is to take a holistic view from the cradle to the grave with regard to the CO2 emissions of components in terms of materials, process chains, service life and end-of-life. Component design and the use of recycled materials are also taken into account in order to provide a complete picture.

The service life in particular is an important factor, as it has a significant influence on the balance sheet of a component. If a component does not have to be re-produced, but remains in the use phase for a long time, the negative environmental impact and consumption of resources are significantly reduced. A component that does not have to be produced again consumes neither raw materials nor energy, nor does it emit greenhouse gases. How the durability of a component can be extended by design and where this makes sense at all is also part of the project. At the same time, the Plastics Institute will keep an eye on politics and thus prepare for planned legislation at an early stage. Together with the project partners, the surface coatings will be evaluated, analyzed and a sustainable future for these technologies will be designed. Interested parties can find detailed information on the project page.