More than 85% of firms involved in the production of coatings have instigated changes to their business operations to improve sustainability.
That’s according to a survey of the sector by the British Coatings Federation (BCF), which asked industrial, decorative and power coating manufacturers; wall coverings specialists; and raw material suppliers for their views on sustainability. It also found 78% of firms intend to implement more actions to enhance their sustainability further.
Many of the changes relate to product innovation, reformulation and the removal of harmful products, with some also looking to their distribution channels for improved environmental performance.
Despite the higher number of respondents claiming to be working towards improved sustainability, only 61% said they were aware of the importance the UK government and the European Commission places on promoting sustainability.
The BCF survey was carried out as it works towards developing a policy in order to “explain the industry’s position on sustainability”.
“It is one of the BCF’s key roles to act as the voice of the coatings industry, communicating with customers, end users and the media to ensure that the positive environmental actions that the industry is taking are known and understood,” said Brian Widdop, technical director of Crown Paints and chair of the BCF’s Sustainability Policy Committee.
“The sustainability initiative is part of that activity and will include the creation of a definitive policy, which it is anticipated will be available by the end of the first quarter 2009.”
