Sherwin-Williams Debuts Low- and Zero-VOC Industrial Paints

By Brent Ehrlich

Sherwin-Williams has increased the quality and depth of its paint inventory with the introduction of two new industrial paints with low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Pro Industrial 0 VOC waterborne acrylic formula and the alkyd (oil-based) Enamel 100 are designed for interior or exterior use in healthcare, commercial, industrial, or other applications where paint will be exposed to high traffic, dirt, and moisture. Both topcoats meet the ambient air quality standards of California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).

The Pro Industrial 0 VOC waterborne acrylic formula has fewer than 5 grams of VOCs per liter and has little odor, so it can be used in occupied areas if necessary. Available in gloss or semi-gloss, this paint can be applied directly to metal, providing chemical and rust resistance as well as early moisture resistance. Coverage varies from 140 to 225 ft2 per gallon, depending on application.

For conditions that demand the performance of industrial enamel, Sherwin-Williams offers Pro Industrial Enamel 100. With a high solids content and a proprietary solvent formula, Enamel 100 protects against chipping, abrasion, and flaking, which makes it suitable for handrails, trim, doors, and equipment. This paint promises impressive coverage of 400–630 ft2 per gallon, roughly twice that of most competitors. The company claims that Enamel 100 is the only industrial alkyd paint that meets SCAQMD criteria for VOCs (fewer than 100 grams per liter) and that it contains no volatile hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). The paint, however, does contain the non-volatile HAP cobalt 2-ethylhexanoate as an ingredient.

Pro Industrial 0 VOC and Enamel 100 are both Greenguard Children and School certified and can be used for light food-contact conditions in facilities inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for food safety. They are available in a variety of colors, including safety red, safety yellow, and black.

Allen Tabrizi, whose Los Angeles-based Raider Painting Company specializes in industrial and commercial painting, said of the paints, “We’ve put them in high-use areas where they [the paints] have been abused quite a bit, and they’ve held up.” However, Tabrizi noted, “They haven’t been around long enough to know how they will hold up over time.” Also, he added, “The test comes when the paint isn’t applied under ideal conditions.”

This article was produced by BuildingGreen, LLC.- www.buildinggreen.com