What is "green"?
There are no universal "green" standards. The way BYK sees it, "green" is whatever environmental standard the customer needs to meet.
We are the first additive manufacturer to prepare a life cycle assessment for individual products and to have them certified by TÜV Rheinland. The internationally recognized standards ISO 14040 and 14044 form the basis for the assessment. For four of its products, BYK can now make certified statements regarding their environmental impact, including their so called "carbon footprint".
A dispersing agent for aqueous systems and three defoamers were certified first. They are used in architectural coatings and paper coatings, for example. The defoamers have been assessed according to food safety and hygiene regulations and feature a remarkably low VOC content. One of the defoamers is also biodegradable as it is manufactured on the basis of renewable raw materials.
Data about the manufacturing process and upstream chain processes were required as the basis for the life cycle assessment. The energy consumption, transport routes, and the raw materials used are also taken into consideration. The resulting information is documented in an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) according to the international standard ISO 14025.
Our many years of experience in the additive business have been an advantage when it comes to "being green": Our broad product portfolio offers many options for green solutions. And: Our proven products are known for their high level of performance and quality.
The marking of environmentally-friendly products with an Ecolabel is becoming more and more important. Paint and coating producers are increasingly anxious to satisfy the assessment criteria and label their products with an Ecolabel for exceptional eco-friendliness. A number of documents must be submitted when applying to the relevant institution in your country for an Ecolabel.
The percentage of renewable materials in a product is another key indicator that is used to evaluate the eco-friendliness of a product. This factor also plays an important role in the development of eco-friendly coating and plastic systems. Thanks to its intensive product and application research, BYK now offers its customers a comprehensive portfolio of some 100 additives that are based on renewable materials.
