The UK’s first commercially-available ‘carbon neutral’ graphene paints are now being mixed and tinted to order from a new factory in Norfolk, manufacturer Graphene Company has announced.
The firm claims the Graphenstone range of paint is carbon neutral, with each square metre of its application capable of absorbing 120 grams of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over the course of its lifetime.
Sourced from pure carbon, graphene is 200 times stronger than structural steel, as well as being highly inert, non-toxic and lightweight, making it capable of delivering significant savings in terms of materials consumption and maintenance, the firm said.
Moreover, the painit designed to offer insulation benefits for buildings. As graphene is a 1,000 times more conductive than copper, the paint can improve the thermal regulation of buildings, thereby curbing energy demand through reduced need for heating or air conditioning, Graphene Company said.
The company added that the porous nature of the lime and graphene-infused coatings also ensures walls can still ‘breathe’, thereby improving indoor air quality by reducing humidity and guarding against build-up of moisture and condensation.
Director of the Graphene Company, Patrick Folke, explained the paints’ materials have been engineered so that they contain ultra-low levels of pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOC), formaldehyde, heavy metals, toxic substances, carcinogens, and harmful agents such as biocides or plasticisers.
The paints’ sustainability credentials have also been recognised by green bodies such as BREEAM, LEED, and European Product Declarations, he added.
“Sustainable, healthy, natural materials are crucial elements for contemporary construction and renovation,” he said. “The building and construction industries have a key role to play in helping the hovernment to reach its new legally binding net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050. Carbon dioxide absorbing, temperature regulating, energy saving paints are one simple and immediately available measure to start striking back against climate change.”
Folke also said he expected to see increasing demand for the paints from professional constructers and residential customers over the next few years as “homeowners want their homes to be more sustainable and healthier environments”.
