Jotun Paints expands their Initiative towards green steps

Jotun has revealed its plans to phase out the use of lead chromates, a toxic chemical compound, from all of its paints and coatings formulations worldwide. The move is consistent with the company’s current environmental initiative, ‘Jotun GreenSteps’ and is scheduled to start in 2014, wherein Jotun will apply with new EU REACH regulations. This initiative reflects continues commitment from Jotun Paints towards greener environment following the boycott of Coal Tar from their products globally last year.

Amidst the scheduled phase out, Jens Christoffer Markmanrud, Project Manager, Jotun, has explained that lead chromates are still legal in many markets where the company is active, “This global phase out applies to paints and coatings in all segments, worldwide. It is a bold step, but we are confident that by replacing lead chromates with safer, high performing alternatives, we can make a big difference.”

According to Markmanrud, the phase out supports ‘Jotun GreenSteps,’ which was launched in 2011 to improve Jotun’s environmental performance over a broad range of areas, which includes Hazardous Materials, Carbon Footprint, Reducing VOC Emissions (Volatile Organic Compounds), Energy Consumption and Waste Recycling. “Jotun GreenSteps also broadcasts the work that the company does in order to develop safer, more effective paint and coating solutions helps customers improve their environmental performance.”

In addition to investing more resources in R&D to produce safer, more environmentally responsible products, Jotun is exploring new ways of managing pigments and colours to achieve better results. By combining primer colours and topcoat colours, Jotun can offer a superior finish compared to less advanced alternatives. The global phase out of lead chromates is an important step in strengthening Jotun’s reputation as an environmentally responsible company.

“Over the years, Jotun has always kept true to its commitment of being an environmentally responsible company--implementing best practices that promote sustainability, developing products that leave less of an impact on the environment and rolling out environmental-based initiatives like ‘Jotun GreenSteps.’ The move to phase out lead chromates is a landmark move as it seeks to stop the use of a toxic compound and replace it with a component that is safer to use but with the same, albeit, even more benefits to be gained,” concluded David Wright, Managing Director for Jotun Saudi Arabia.