5 Nov 2020

Clariant playing a leading role in supporting the coatings industry to phase out lead in paints

UN's eighth International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week highlighted action needed on lead paint globally
Clariant partners with a key United Nations Environment Programme project to accelerate the phase-out of lead in paint
Clariant one of the first companies to end the production of lead-based pigments in the 1980s

Muttenz, November 5, 2020 – Last week marked the eighth International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, an initiative of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, jointly led by the UN Environment Programme and the World Health Organization, intended to draw attention to the need for action on lead paints and other sources of lead exposure.

As one of the first companies to completely end the production, and supply, of lead-based pigments in the mid-1980’s (Hoechst AG – now Clariant), Clariant supported the Global Alliance campaign to eliminate lead paint and, through regulatory and legal measures, accelerate progress towards its global phase out.

To work towards this goal, Clariant is a supporter of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), hosted by UN Environment Programme, a global policy framework which aims to protect human health and the environment from the unsound management of chemicals and waste, including through early planning support for chemicals management in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“Only 77 countries currently have legally binding controls on the manufacture, import and sale of lead paint, meaning that it is still permitted in a substantial number of countries, presenting a continuing and future source of lead exposure for children and workers. That’s why we believe the SAICM Global Environment Facility (GEF) project, ‘Global best practices on emerging chemical policy issues of concern under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management’, is an important initiative that sustainable and forward-looking companies should support,” said John Dunne, Clariant’s Head of Business Unit Pigments.

Supporting small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to transition to a lead-free paint market is one focus for Clariant, along with an emphasis on providing safer solutions in developing countries where paint manufacturing with lead-based materials is still considered a cost advantage.

In such markets, legislation without providing alternatives can inhibit public and industry acceptance of safer solutions and could prevent eliminating lead paints altogether; the fear of manufacturers is they will not be able to effectively compete without lower cost alternatives.

Our Hostaperm^®, Novoperm^®, Permanent and Hansa^™ pigment ranges are entirely free of lead-based pigments. Many of the products were developed in the 1970s and 1980s to allow for efficient formulation of shades previously made with lead chrome pigments. Recommendations can be found in our brochures.

“Clariant’s alternatives are both easy-to-disperse powder pigments and pre-dispersed, liquid color concentrates, which can be simply stirred into a clear varnish. The existing equipment in local paint companies is therefore enough to allow lead replacement, meaning that clever reformulation efforts can save on having to invest in any new production hardware. This enables local paint companies to expand the color gamut of their paint significantly without increasing costs. Enhanced sustainability can also lead to cost savings and performance improvements,” continued Dunne.

Clariant will continue its active engagement in public policy dialogue on the issue as well as supporting SAICM in its push for globally harmonized legislation to set the course of the market and support SME’s in the transition ahead.

For more information on this project, please visit: www.clariant.com/pigments.

™ TRADEMARK
Novoperm^® IS A TRADEMARK OF CLARIANT REGISTERED IN MANY COUNTRIES.
Hostaperm^® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK.

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Notes for editors

www.clariant.com

Clariant is a focused, sustainable and innovative specialty chemical company based in Muttenz, near Basel/Switzerland. On 31 December 2019, the company employed a total workforce of 17 223. In the financial year 2019, Clariant recorded sales of CHF 4.399 billion for its continuing businesses. The company reports in three business areas: Care Chemicals, Catalysis and Natural Resources. Clariant’s corporate strategy is based on five pillars: focus on innovation and R&D, add value with sustainability, reposition portfolio, intensify growth, and increase profitability.

www.clariant.com/pigments

Clariant’s Business Unit Pigments is a leading global provider of organic pigments, pigment preparations and dyes. The vastly diverse portfolio corresponds to the high standards for colors and coatings in industrial, automotive and architectural applications. The business unit also provides solutions for the plastics industry, for special applications in the aluminum, agricultural and consumer goods sector, as well as for traditional printing processes, inkjet printing and toner applications. The Pigments business unit continues to bring new and innovative materials to the market, with a strong emphasis on environmental aspects and sustainability. Employing over 2000 people across the globe, the Business Unit Pigments is part of Clariant’s Business Area Plastics and Coatings.