
Microplastics
The World Coatings Council is closely following efforts of environmental researchers focusing on new categories of waste arising from use of a variety of plastic materials found in consumer and industrial products. Public discussion is now moving on from the issue of ‘primary microplastics’, which are intentionally added to formulations, to ‘secondary microplastics’, which are formed through the degradation and break down of larger plastics into progressively smaller pieces.
“Secondary microplastics” can include releases of synthetic fibers from clothing, weathering of macroplastic wastes, washing paint brushes in the sink, and the degradation of polymeric surfaces on exterior substrates. The various secondary microplastics are typically aggregated within wastewater streams, although some may become airborne.
Policy Concerns
While there is a growing body of literature that addresses the issue of microplastics and the origin of the plastic particles, no studies have adequately measured the contribution of paint to microplastics pollution in the marine or terrestrial environments. Though several studies reference the contribution of paint to microplastic pollution, none of these studies has conducted a scientifically-based and reproduceable study to indicate how paint contributes to this waste stream. All known mitigating factors need to be considered in any effort to quantify the potential release of microplastics from products. This is especially true for academic researchers, government agencies, and advocacy groups as they work to address concerns regarding microplastics in the environment
Paint is a resinous product intended to provide a continuous protective or decorative film to a substrate, imparting performance characteristics that last for a long time. Extensive effort is made to ensure economical transfer efficiency and to minimize loss of paint product to the environment during application and subsequent clean-up of application equipment (i.e., brushes and rollers that could emit excess paint as primary microplastics).
Microplastics pollution is a significant issue within the framework of the negotiations on the United Nations Plastics Treaty. Although it is not clear yet as to the definition of microplastics or plastics, it will be imperative for the coatings industry to engage in these discussions and provide information on the role of coatings as well as the technical aspects of paint formulas.
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution | UNEP – UN Environment Programme
Developments in the EU towards restricting products with “microparticles“
In 2019, the European Commission began gathering information towards developing a working definition of microplastics while considering sources of microplastic pollution from products. In September of 2023, the Commission finalized a ban of “synthetic polymer microparticles” as defined in the statute, at or above .01% in mixtures or on their own. Solid polymer content in some raw materials used in paint may fall under this definition. Paints formulated with covered “synthetic polymer microparticles” most likely qualify for one of the derogations allowing continued use, so that the coatings product is not banned due to polymer content. Derogations includes products for industrial use, products where microparticles are incorporated into a solid matrix and products where microparticles are permanently altered. Coatings products qualifying for derogations must be labeled according to the law.
The Commission is expected to consider restrictions specific to paint and potential contributions to microplastic pollution in 2025 under its revised ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation). The law establishes a program to develop specific ecodesign criteria for products based on principles stipulated in the law. The Commission proposed revisions to the law in March 2022, establishing revised criteria for sustainable products. The Commission intends to finalize revisions in 2024, while also finalizing product selections for analysis under the law. The Commission intends to select paint, plastics, polymers and other chemicals as the first set of products undergoing evaluation under the revised law, beginning analysis in 2025.