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Bio-Based Coatings for Low VOC & Low Carbon Formulations Balancing Sustainability with Performance

Bio-Based Coatings for Low VOC & Low Carbon Formulations Balancing Sustainability with Performance
Language: English
Length: 90 min
Oct 15, 2025 03:00 PM
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Course Description

Formulators working on sustainable coatings often find themselves navigating a difficult paradox: how to reduce VOCs and carbon footprint without compromising performance.
While bio-based ingredients promise a greener future, they frequently introduce new challenges, such as volatility, odor, compatibility issues, and inconsistent quality. The result is a formulation landscape that’s more complex than ever, with high stakes for both compliance and product success.

This course, led by coatings expert Artur Palasz, is designed to help you overcome these hurdles with clarity and confidence. You’ll gain:

  • A deep understanding of the chemistry behind bio-based resins, solvents, and additives
  • Tools to evaluate and compare bio-based vs. fossil-based systems
  • Strategies to manage VOC conflicts and optimize formulation reliability
  • Insights into global regulatory frameworks and green labeling requirements
  • Real-world case studies to guide practical decision-making
Intermediate
Level
Artur Palasz
Artur Palasz
0 courses

Dr. Artur Palasz is an expert in waterborne coatings formulation with over 20 years of experience leading the R&D efforts at Spektrochem Coatings Lab. He specializes in architectural, wood, and direct-to-metal (DTM) coatings, helping global raw material suppliers across the US, Europe, and Asia develop and optimize high-performance waterborne technologies. At Spektrochem, he oversees comprehensive lab testing—from gloss retention and film formation to pigment dispersion, scrub resistance, and weathering—using ASTM-based methods tailored for real-world performance.

As an international speaker and published scientist, Dr. Palasz brings a rare combination of formulation know-how and market-driven insight. He has presented at major conferences including the American Coatings Show, European Coatings Show, and the Waterborne Symposium, and his work appears in leading journals such as PCI Magazine, CoatingsTech, and European Coatings Journal.

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Why should you view this course?

The coatings industry is undergoing a rapid transformation. Sustainability is no longer optional; it’s a competitive imperative. Whether you're reformulating existing products or launching new ones, success depends on your ability to align environmental goals with technical performance and regulatory compliance.

This course offers a comprehensive roadmap to help you do just that. Through eight focused modules, you’ll gain the knowledge and tools to:

  1. Resolve the VOC vs. Bio-Based Dilemma: Understand why bio-based doesn’t always mean low VOC and how to make informed material choices.

  2. Build Reliable, High-Performance Formulations: Learn how to overcome common issues like adhesion, gloss, and rheology while maintaining sustainability targets.

  3. Navigate Global Regulations with Confidence: Get up to speed on VOC and GHG frameworks across EU, US, Asia, and India, and prepare documentation for ecolabels and compliance.

Who should join this course?
    • Coating formulators working in architectural, wood, or industrial segments
    • R&D professionals exploring sustainable alternatives to fossil-based systems
    • Regulatory and compliance teams managing green labeling and VOC documentation
    • Product managers and sustainability officers driving low-carbon innovation
    • Manufacturing engineers adapting processes for bio-based inputs

  • Complete the course and (unlock your personalized certificate)– your badge of accomplishment awaits!

  • This course is suitable for intermediate level proficiency
    Intermediate
Questions you will be able to answer after this course:

  1. How do I select bio-based ingredients that truly reduce VOCs?

  2. What documentation is needed for green labeling across different markets?

  3. How do I evaluate the cost-performance balance of bio-based vs. fossil-based systems?

  4. What testing protocols ensure reliability in reformulated coatings?

  5. How can I calculate and communicate GHG savings and environmental claims
    responsibly?

Course Outline
The following sections will be covered during this session:
  • Market Drivers & Regulatory Landscape
  1. VOC and GHG regulatory frameworks (EU, US, Asia, India)
  2. Pressures from green labeling programs, sustainability claims, and climate goals
  3. How to prepare documentation for green labeling and regulatory compliance
  4. Overview of documentation required for different markets (e.g., EU Ecolabel, LEED, BPR)
  • Chemistry of Bio-Based Ingredients
  1. Bio-based resins, solvents, additives, and crosslinkers – types and functions 
  2. Understanding biogenic carbon content and LCA implications 
  3. Evaluating cost vs. quality – strategies to assess price-performance balance
  4.  Benchmarks for comparing bio-based vs. fossil-based systems
  • VOC vs. Bio-Based – Understanding the Conflict
  1. Not all bio-based = low VOC: How to screen materials effectively 
  2. Solvent replacement challenges: volatility, odor, compatibility 
  3. Case studies of formulations that failed or succeeded due to VOC mismatch
  • Formulation Strategy & Material Reliability
  1. Overcoming formulation hurdles: adhesion, gloss, rheology, and stability
  2. Hybrid approaches: blending fossil and bio-based components 
  3. Ensuring reliability when reformulating: testing protocols and evaluation methods
  4. Managing batch-to-batch variability and sourcing concerns
  • Manufacturing & Testing for Bio-Based Systems
  1. Adapting existing processes for new inputs (dispersion, curing, etc.)
  2. What manufacturing teams must validate before launch 
  3. Tests needed to confirm: 
    - Performance properties gained/lost
    - Regulatory compliance 
    - Application performance and shelf life
  4. Raw material storage and shelf stability for bio-based inputs
  • Case Studies & Real-World Applications
  1. Real examples from architectural, wood, and protective coatings
  2. Lessons from failed and successful bio-based launches
  3. Results from GHG emission reduction and VOC testing
  • Sustainability Metrics, LCA, and Communication
  1. Carbon footprint and life cycle analysis for coatings
  2. How to calculate and report cradle-to-gate GHG savings
  3. Communicating environmental performance claims responsibly
  • What’s Next – Innovation & Future Outlook
  1. Emerging bio-based materials: lignin polyols, algae resins, etc.
  2. Biodegradable coatings and compostable systems
  3. Future regulations to watch – PFAS replacements, microplastics bans
  4. Preparing your R&D roadmap for long-term transformation
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Prerequisites for this course

It would be beneficial to have some prior knowledge of:

  • A basic to intermediate understanding of coatings formulation, including common raw materials such as resins, solvents, and additives
  • Familiarity with general performance metrics (e.g., adhesion, gloss, rheology) and manufacturing processes used in industrial coatings
  • A working knowledge of VOC and sustainability-related terminology will be helpful but not mandatory



30 min Q & As for this course
Interact directly with your tutor and clarify your doubts
  1. 30 mins per session for Questions and Answers
  2. Clarify your doubts.
  3. If your questions are not answered, dont worry you will recieve tutor’s reply via email after sessions.
Bio-Based Coatings for Low VOC & Low Carbon Formulations Balancing Sustainability with Performance
€299
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