Take a major step towards greener paint with Ecosure

People and businesses are becoming increasingly concerned about climate change and the need to actively reduce our impact on the environment by acting in a more sustainable way. Against this background Dulux Trade is meeting the sustainability challenge head-on with the forthcoming launch of Ecosure, the first step towards environmentally sustainable paint.

Ecosure represents an approach to sustainability that is based on scientific rigour and was developed in conjunction with Forum for the Future - the leading independent sustainability experts.

Choosing products that deliver on sustainability and performance is challenging due to the complex nature of the issue and the proliferation of claims. Ecosure is a really exciting range that will enable appliers to choose products that are proven to have a lower environmental impact, thereby helping them meet their sustainability objectives without compromising on performance.

Dulux Trade combines Sustainability and Performance!

Some paints deliver sustainability and some deliver performance – Ecosure is set to change that by delivering on both. Now you can offer your customers the world-leading performance and quality they expect from Dulux Trade along with peace of mind, knowing that the paints you’re using have been specially developed to have less harmful effects on the environment.

The range comprises Matt, Gloss and Undercoat formulations, each water-based and offering ‘best-in-class’ performance. Using the ‘Environmental Impact Analyser’, an analytical tool developed with Forum for the Future, we have been able to measure the reduction against two key sustainability criteria, namely carbon and VOC. The ‘Environmental Impact Analyser’ has enabled us to scrutinise the product from extraction to the point in the supply chain where the product is packaged and ready for distribution at the ICI Slough facility.

A huge colour range, but they're all green!

Ecosure Matt is a professional quality, high opacity** matt emulsion that provides excellent coverage and application. It's suitable for all normal interior wall and ceiling surfaces and is available in Brilliant White, Magnolia and the full Dulux Trade colour range, including Colour Palette, Professional Colour Card and Heritage ranges as well as British Standard BS4800 and RAL Classic.

Ecosure Water-based Gloss is a professional quality, durable, quick drying paint that provides a high sheen finish with good flow and application properties. It is available in Pure Brilliant White and an extensive colour range. Good durability and non-yellowing properties ensure this product is suitable for use on interior wood and metal surfaces. For best results use with Ecosure Undercoat.

Ecosure Undercoat is durable and quick drying with good opacity and adhesion properties.

Performance or the environment?

Up until now if you or your clients wanted to use a ‘greener’ or ‘natural’ paint there was little choice and compromises had to be made. Feedback from decorators and comparative testing has confirmed that so called ‘natural’ paints have failed to deliver on performance. When subjected to British Standard tests many ‘natural’ paints perform very poorly when compared to standard Dulux Trade products.:

• The colour range of ‘natural paints tends to be very limited.
• ‘Natural’ paints can be ‘yellower’ in colour due to the presence of certain natural oils.
• Many ‘natural’ paints have poor durability
• Covering power or ‘opacity’ tends to be poor meaning extra coats have to be applied.

With Ecosure these compromises do not have to be made, Ecosure products deliver Performance equivalent to the Dulux trade products you use today whilst also having a reduced Environmental impact.

The Big Picture

Whilst the Ecosure product range is our most visible environmental sustainability initiative, Dulux Trade is also looking to reduce environmental impact throughout the product life cycle. With this in mind, we launched the Dulux Trade Environmental Wash System which helps decorators and contractors achieve best practice in their waste management. The Dulux Trade Environmental wash system converts water-borne washings into clear water and solid waste allowing for easier control and disposal. For other initiatives, please take a look at our ‘Sustainability in Action’, our Sustainability Policy and Report in our sustainability section..

* Lower environmental impact is measured by a reduction in VOC and embodied carbon. Using the Gloss and Undercoat as a two-coat system reduces embodied carbon by 30% compared to standard Dulux Trade High Gloss and Undercoat, as measured by an environmental impact analyser. This has been developed in conjunction with Forum for the Future - the leading sustainable development charity.

** The wet (in-use) opacity is noticeably low, but by using dry-hiding technology we can ensure that the product delivers excellent opacity when dry.