ENVIROLITE: Low VOC Paint
THERE is something really pleasing about the smell of a fresh coat of paint. However, this fresh paint odour is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and can be irritating to the eyes and nose and damaging to the lungs. They also contribute to poor air quality.
Midas Earthcote has made strong efforts to reduce the effect that their coatings have on both indoor and outdoor air quality. They have reduced the VOC content of their paint significantly and made it available to consumers as Envirolite.
Midas Paints adopts the EU standard which defines a Volatile Organic Compound as any carbon-based substance with a boiling point of 250º C. Envirolite is leading the paint industry in reducing volatile organic compounds and even offers some products that contain zero VOC, which don’t cost any more than conventional paint.
The nasty chemical that makes paint harmful to our environments is Glycol. Most colourants contain Glycol, which is considered to be 100% VOC. For this reason it should always be ascertained whether the VOC stated is for white or colour-tinted products.
Most manufacturers only stipulate the VOC content of their white paint. Earthcote and Midas Paints have access to colourants that are not only Glycol, APEO, Formaldehyde and Lead free but are also certified Zero VOC. Most Envirolite topcoats are Zero VOC.
Besides having reduced or Zero VOCs, many of the Envirolite products have also been reformulated without these potentially hazardous chemical ingredients that are conventionally used as drying time retarders, preservatives and stabilisers.
Envirolite is able to maintain its low VOC content by making use of Glycol-free colourants, which helps to significantly reduce possible health hazards of paint. Envirolite has been given a “Green Star” rating by the Green Building Council of South Africa and is already way ahead of international standards.
- Every coating in the Envirolite range is rated according to its VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) content, based both on international standards and our own stringent standards. Every tin of Envirolite is clearly marked – indicating its VOC content.
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- What’s in a tin of Envirolite?
- The Green Filter Paint Evaluator
- The Greenest Building in the Southern Hemisphere
Tags: Coatings and Adhesives, Earthcote, Enviro lite, Envirolite, Envirolite paint, Environmentally friendly, Environmentally Friendly Paint, Midas Earthcote, Midas Paints, Paint, VOC Free Paint, Volatile organic compound
Do you sell non-VOC fire-engine red or post-box red paint for use on metal?
Hi Ralph, thank you for your comment.
Zero VOC paint that can be used on metal is available in a variety of colours if you purchase Envirolite water based enamel from any franchisee. A list of all our stores (including contact information) can be found here http://www.paintandplace.com/stores/