Marine coatings company Jotun has announced that it plans to phase out lead chromates from all of its paint and coatings formulations.
As part of its Jotun GreenSteps initiative, lead chromates, a toxic chemical compound, will be phased out in 2014.
Lead chromates are used in the manufacture of paints and varnishes, and applications relate to products requiring protection against corrosion or bright colours with a good resistance.
According to ECHA, the European Chemical Agency, lead chromates have been given a ‘sunset date’ of 21 May 2015, which means that use of the substance after that date requires authorisation.
Christoffer Markmanrud, Jotun’s project manager, says that although lead chromates are still legal in many markets where the company is active, Jotun still plans to phase out lead chromates in all segments worldwide. “It is a big step, but we are confident that by substituting lead chromates with safer, high performing alternatives, we can make a big difference”, he said.
The company’s Jotun GreenSteps programme was launched 2011 to improve Jotun’s environmental performance over a broad range of areas with the aim of developing safer, more effective paints and coatings solutions to help customers improve their environmental performance.
Jotun is also exploring new ways of managing pigments and colours to achieve better results.
