BEECK MINERAL PAINTS

NATURAL PAINTS

BEECK’sche
FARBWERKE

PAINTS AND LACQUERS

APPLICATION AND ECOLOGY

"Gentle Chemistry" "Synthetic Chemistry"

Renewable Synthetic

Solar energy Fossile

Photosynthesis Natural Synthetic energy resources
Food Paints Resin Petrochemistry
Cosmetics Linseed oil, Based Plastics
Personal hygiene Beeswax, Paints Chlorine
Milk casein Acrylates, chemistry
PVC, PUR

Mineral Paints
Lime, Silicate, Mineral ores

Mining, Coal,
Steel and Cement Chemistry

"Inorganic Chemistry"
mineral

Paint Industry
Raw material base and interfaces
with other chemical industries
Index:
BEECK’sche
FARBWERKE
1 Introduction 1

2 Historical Retrospect 1

3 Ingredients of Paints and Lacquers 1

3.1 Binders 1

3.2 Solvents 3

3.3 Pigments 4

3.4 Fillers 5

3.5 Additives 5

4 Paint Systems 6

4.1 Limewashes 6

4.2 Silicate Paints 6

4.3 Synthetic Resin Dispersion Paints 7

4.4 Waterborne Paints - „The Blue Angel“ 8

4.5 Natural Paints 8

5 Wood Protection 9

6 Hazardous Substances Ordinance 10

7 Room Climate 10

8 Coating Recommendations 11

9 Painting Work 11

10 Evaluation 12
BEECK’sche FARBWERKE
Standards, Bibliography, Addresses 13 Beeck GmbH & Co KG
www. beeck.de
e-mail: beeck@beeck.de

Management:
Postfach 81 02 24
© BEECK 2002 Rev. 02/2002 D-70519 Stuttgart
Phone: ++49(0 )711/ 90 02 00
Fax: ++49(0 )711/ 9 00 20 10

Factory:
Author: Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 4
D-89150 Laichingen
Ralf Rieks, Dipl.-Ing. (FH), Phone: ++49(0 )73 33 / 96 07 11
Head of BEECK Application Technique Fax: ++49(0 )73 33 / 96 07 10
 BEECK MINERAL PAINTS
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PAINTS AND LACQUERS to these substrates. Drying fatty oils, recovered e.g.
from linseeds or the seeds of the tung oil tree met
by Ralf Rieks
these requirements and allowed pigmenting. These oil
based paints remained standard until the chemical
1. Introduction industry was able to design synthetic resins for use in
Paints and lacquers are the protective, decorative and combination with drying plant oils (such as alkyd paints)
value-maintaining coatings on plasters, wood and or without any further additives (such as acrylic paints,
metal. They are the decisive visual elements in our state-of-the-art catalyzed lacquers). Powder and water-
built-up environment, expression of our creativity or borne paints are more recent developments meeting
of a simple technical necessity, and they contribute solvent reduction requirements.
to our quality of life. However, they also belong to a
problematic class of products, often linked with 3. Ingredients of Paints and Lacquers
allergies and wood preservative scandals. Since the
According to DIN 55945, a paint is defined as a liquid
use of coatings is often unavoidable and the number
to paste-like coating material which is mainly applied by
of products is huge, not allowing to easily differentiate
brush, roller or spray gun. It is, in general, composed of
between "toxic" and "non-toxic" products, a sophisti-
binder, solvent, filler, pigment and additives. Depending
cated approach that considers health, ecological and
on the formulation, a high-quality wall paint for indoor
biological building aspects is recommended.
use (washable according to DIN 53778) comprises
about 10 to 15 different ingredients, not to mention
2. Historical Retrospect initial products and accompanying substances. This
Spanish and South French cave paintings are the oldest complex chemical mixture has to meet all kinds of
proof of human creativity using paints. They date back requirements: high storage stability, good processing
more than 15,000 years. With the use of umber and qualities, short drying time, high resistance of the paint
ocher colored earth, red chalk and bone black, hunting film against mechanical, chemical and biological attacks,
scenes and ritual motifs were turned into paintings. low tendency to pick-up dirt and (in the ideal case)
The architecture in later historical eras was already ecologically compatible degradability.
sophisticated: burnt lime, wetted and mixed with sand, Specific visual and technical requirements make further
was used as a durable mortar for colossal buildings. additives necessary, such as film-forming additives
Lime milk was used for limewashing clay and stone. for a uniform flow, special pigments for visual effects
By adding powdered pottery shard, puzzolana earth or or additional biocides to provide fungicide properties.
similar hydraulic (only solidifying when in contact with The compatibility of these components with each
water) substances, water resistant, tough mortars were other must be ensured. This also applies to a positive
produced making e.g. the construction of port facilities interaction with all kinds of surfaces, no matter whether
possible. Limewashes were refined by adding milk smooth, rough, alkaline, damp or water-swellable
casein or linseed oil making the paint less chalking plaster, concrete, paper wallpaper, wood-based light-
while increasing the pigmentation take-up and providing weight building boards, old paint coatings etc. Further
a better durability. criteria are raw material prices, the manufacturing
Until far into the 20th century, lime technology prevailed. process and naturally the acceptance on the market.
Another mineral paint type, based on waterglass Ecological aspects gain more and more importance,
(such as silicate paints), was developed and reached too, since the public is increasingly aware of
production maturity until the end of the 19th century, environmental problems. It is, therefore, no surprise
resulting in coatings of a yet unknown durability which that, with view to construction, there is a tendency
quickly replaced limewashes – at least in a more noble to go back to nature and use more natural building
ambience. materials (clay, wood). This, of course, includes the
Only in the fifties and sixties of the 20th century, paint industry since the public has been sensitized
synthetic resin dispersions, omnipresent today, made for possible environmental and health hazards through
their way to the market. A microfine distribution of discussions about critical products such as wood
polymer particles in water formed the basis of these preservatives and solvents.
products, the so-called polymer dispersion. The chemical The following chapters will, therefore, name common
industry produced these new materials on a very large formulation constituents and coating systems for
scale. Since dispersion paints were relatively cost- buildings and describe, as far as possible, ecological
effective and processing required less skills, they soon alternatives.
became the standard product for wall coatings indoors
and outdoors, especially thanks to the postwar 3.1 Binders
construction boom. Binders (DIN 55945) are the non-volatile constituents of
Our ancestors not only knew how to protect mineral a paint providing adhesion to the surface. After drying,
surfaces like stone and plaster from water, weather they enclose the other solids contents in a more or
impact and corrosion, but also materials like wood and less dense matrix. Having released the solvent or water
metal. Lime and waterglass were too open-pored and contained, physically drying binders bond to form a
brittle for this purpose. A water-repellent, relatively more or less dense film. A typical example would be
dense and flexible film was required, able to firmly stick a common dispersion paint for indoor and outdoor use.

1
Chemical drying or curing, however, describes a chemical From a toxicological point of view, they are generally
reaction which the binder undergoes (in general during recognized as safe and, therefore, ecologically
and after a phase of physical drying). Limewashes and recommended. After use (weathering of the paint,
silicate paints cure chemically through reaction with depositing), they find their way back into nature's cycle
the carbondioxide from the ambient air, i.e. through through composting (see figure). Unlike synthetic binders,
transformation of the binder. Plant oil based oil paints they provide a zero CO2 balance. Manufacturers of
also dry chemically through oxygen takeup. In two-pack natural paints prefer oils from organically and regionally
catalyzed paints such as polyurethane or epoxy resins, grown plants. Compared to conventional cultivation
the reaction takes place between the two components, methods, the use of commercial fertilizers is minimized
i.e. the base and the hardener, as soon as the two are which ensures non-residual end products.
mixed together. Regarding polyurethane, these two
components are isocyanates and polyalcohols, in case 3.1.2 Synthetic Organic Binders
of epoxy resins, an epoxy group-containing resin and a
Synthetic organic binders are based on a synthetic
polyamine.
organic polymer which, depending on its chemical
The binder has a decisive impact on the paint's features configuration, may have versatile characteristics.
which is why it finds expression in the classification Compared to oil lacquers, a greater hardness and
of the coating material ("acrylic paint", "alkyd paint", scratch resistance are among the most important
"natural resin lacquers" etc.) features. For special coatings, such as hard-wearing
floor varnishes, heavy corrosion protection, chemical-
Linseed oil material cycle resistant tank coatings etc., reaction resin lacquers
are commonly used.
Synthetic organic binders include: acrylic lacquers
Linseed oil
(binder: polyacrylate), alkyd resin (DIN 53183),
Cold pressing Film formation polyurethane and epoxy resins as catalyzed resins,
Milling Drying PVC lacquers. They are made from raw materials such
Heating Oxidation as crude oil and natural gas. Monomers recovered from
Filtering + O2
cracked crude oil are polymerized, i.e. linked to become
an organic macromolecule. Depending on the type of
monomer (acrylic ester, vinyl acetate, styrene etc.) and
Linseed Paint the desired macromolecule (copolymerisate, terpolymer
etc.), more than one synthesis step may be required.
To obtain certain characteristics or to stabilize inter-
Film
disintegration mediates, additives such as preservatives, amines,
Weathering solvents, antioxidants or plasticizers will be required.
Flax Decomposition From a toxicological point of view, monomers are
Photosynthesis Composting
+CO2+H2O-O2
generally reactive compounds with a high toxic and
-CO2-H2O
Minerals often carcinogenic potential. More critical are residual
monomers that are transformed during the polyreaction
and, thus, outgas for a longer period of time from
the coating and container. A large number of reaction
resins out of the polyurethane (isocyanate) and epoxy
3.1.1 Natural Organic Binders resin classes are subject to identification requirements
Drying oils (chemically: triglycerides) are recovered from under the Hazardous Chemicals Ordinance. From the
plant seeds. Drying is realized through physical film latter, it is specifically the hardener (amines) that has
formation and subsequent chemical integration of oxygen a high allergy causing potential. The highly irritating
from the ambient air in the reactive double bond of the effect of partly volatile amines makes particular
esterified fatty acids (oxidation drying). After drying, precautions for the processing of epoxy resin systems
speeded up through the use of drying agents, plant oils such as floor coatings in industrial facilities, basement
provide highly elastic, weather resistant and relatively garages etc. necessary.
diffusible coating films in terms of oil lacquers and oil From an ecological point of view, synthetic lacquers and
glazes. Oils are often used in combination with natural dispersion binders are unnatural, fully synthetic products
resins (dammar, colophonium). Drying oils include, with high risks for the environment during recovery,
among others, linseed oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, processing and disposal. The material cycle of a
dehydrated castor oil, wood oil (the latter from the fruits synthetic resin shows a cut where an increasing CO2
of the Chinese tung oil tree). Oils are recovered exclusi- content inthe atmosphere stands in clear contradiction
vely from renewable raw materials of plant origin through to a squeeze of fossile resources. The cycle remains
pressing, extraction etc. and are purified, deslimed etc. unclosed since the process of returning CO2 into
using simple physical processes. When heated under the mineral oil takes geological periods of time, i.e. millions
exclusion of air, stand oils (DIN 55945) are obtained, of years, and can only take place under certain climatic,
sometimes offering improved performance characteristics. geological and biochemical conditions.

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Among the most important solvent classes are:

Synthetic Paint Material „Cycle“ - Alipathic hydrocarbons such as white spirit
("gasoline"), isoalipathics
Ethine Addition
Thermal Vinyl dichloride Cl2 - Aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene
decomposition
Benzene - Glycols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol
Fractional
distillation Carbonmonoxide CO
Water H2O - Ethers such as dibutyl ether, some glycol ethers
Hydrocyanic - Esters such as butyl acetate, some glycol esters
acid HCN
Polymerization - Ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
Film formation - Alcohols such as ethanol, methyl isoamyl alcohol
Crude oil, - Terpenes such as balsamic terpenes,
natural gas Paint
citrus terpenes, orange peel oil.

Film From a working hygiene point of view, solvents are

disintegration
always to be considered potentially harmful for their
Weathering
Decomposition
fat-dissolving properties (skin protection !) and
Waste incineration because of their narcotizing effect in case of longterm
CO2, H2O,
CxHy, NOx, HCL
contact. Certain solvents such as xylene, isoaliphatics
have been found, at least in animal tests, to have a
carcinogenic potential. Solvents are mainly recovered
through petrochemical methods and contribute to CO2
The actual synthesis of resins for lacquers and varnishes accumulation in the atmosphere. Thus, they favor the
includes intermediates and initial products labeled as global greenhouse effect, the local summer smog and
hazardous substances. Even when processed in closed the formation of ozone.
circuit systems, environmental risks such as accidents, Besides road traffic, solvents used in coatings are the
averages or improper disposal cannot be excluded. second biggest source of emission of hydrocarbons.
Quite a number of the chemical elements used not only An ecological alternative to crude oil based solvents
by the paint industry but also by the plastic, fertilizer are natural terpenes, found e.g. in the resin flow of
and pesticide industries, are potential war gases (chlorine pines (the so-called balsam or gum) or in the peels of
gas, phosgene) and highly toxic. Substances such as citrus fruits. These terpenes are recovered and cleaned
chlorohydrocarbons found in flame retardants, plasticizers through pressing or steam distillation, respectively.
and vinyl chloride based binders cause disposal
The essential difference to synthetic solvents is, on
problems: they are difficult to degrade, thus enter the
the one hand, the millenia-old familiarity with the
food chain and concentrate especially in the fatty tissue
human organism (turpentines in wood, coniferous
of humans and carnivorous animals. When incinerated,
woods, citrus fruits as a food), on the other hand, the
dioxines are produced, i.e. highly toxic compounds of a
zero CO2 balance: During solvent degradation exactly
carcinogenic effect causing chlorine acne. There is risk
the same amount of carbon dioxide is released into
of dioxine formation with both regular thermal disposal
the atmosphere as was taken beforehand from the
in hazardous waste incineration plants and uncontrolled
atmosphere by the plant when building up the terpene.
combustion, e.g. during an accident.
Recycling, i.e. reuse of paint resins is not feasible since
the plastic material is not type-differentiated and there is Material Cycle of Limewash
no way to strictly separate accompanying substances. Hydrated lime
(calcium hydroxide)
Ca(OH)2 Carbonatation
3.1.3 Inorganic Binders Slaking
+ H2O Dryingn
Inorganic binders play a role in lime and silicate paints +CO2 - H2O
and are, therefore, discussed in Chapter 4 where they
are compared to synthetic resin binders.

3.2 Solvents Burnt lime

According to DIN 55945, solvents are liquids that are (calcium oxide) Paint
CO2 + CaO
able to dissolve the binder and that are volatile while
film forming. In everyday language, "solvent" means
the volatile organic constituents, i.e. hydrocarbons in
the broadest sense unlike water as a "solvent" in
waterborne paints. Heating Film
1000°C disintegration
Weathering
Limestone Decomposition
(calcium carbonate)
CaCO3

3
Plant terpenes are almost exclusively used in strictly substances. When heated, iron oxides change their
natural paints. They are well compatible (pine oil is also colors due to the escape of crystal water, a fact taken
used by the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry) advantage of at industrial scale. Ultramarine blue used
and show considerable advantages (CO2 balance, at large scale is recovered through melting from soda,
plant reactor) compared to petrochemical solvents. clay and sulfur.
The paint industry aims at reducing solvents as far as From a toxicological point of view, mineral pigments
possible. Thus, the solvent content of 50-70% once can be considered safe. They are free of soluble
encountered in off-the-shelf paints has been reduced heavy metals. Compared to earth colors, they offer an
to a maximum of 10% in waterborne paints carrying alternative, especially for color tones blue, yellow and
the environmental sign and to 15% in high-solids green. However, the decomposition processes used
paints. The reason for this trend is both a lacking at commercial scale, e.g. for titanium ores, involve a
customer acceptance and increasingly restrictive higher risk for the environment since they require the
actions in connection with volatile organic compounds use of highly concentrated mineral acids such as chloric
which find their expression in more and more restrictive or sulfuric acids. Closed-circuit plants for multiple acid
statutory environmental and safety at work requirements. concentration are standard. Even though ocean dumping
of waste acid isn't a major issue any more, the use of
3.3 Pigments huge amounts of chemicals and energy surely is a
disadvantage. Titanium dioxide – an indispensible white
Pigments or colorants are the coloring elements of a
pigment because of its excellent whiteness, covering
paint and defined in DIN 55945 (or DIN 55943 and 55944).
capacity and outdoor durability – should nevertheless be
Certain pigments also take over the job of corrosion
used very sparingly since high brilliancy and whiteness
protection or UV absorption in a paint. In analogy to
requirements can only be met at the expense of the
binders, pigments may be divided into inorganic and
ecological balance.
organic, natural and synthetic modifications.

3.3.3 Plant Color Pigments

3.3.1 Earth Color Pigments
Plant colors are natural organic pigments and dyes from
Earth colors are natural, inorganic pigments (metal
plants. They provide many colors, however, of a low
oxides) of an earthy undertone. They were used even
colorfastness. Examples of plant colors are: indigo,
in prehistorical times (cave paintings). Till the beginning woad, alizarin red, reseda, alkanna violet and saffron.
of the 20th century, they were often the only pigments Raw materials for plant colors are leaves, flowers, fruits
available in larger quantities. Regional deposits led to or roots of certain dyer's plants.
colorings typical for that region. Earth pigments are
In some of the plants we find, in general, an initial
absolutely lightfast and extremely chemical and weather
stage of the pigment or dye which may be processed
resistant. Examples of earth colors are: umber, ocher,
in several operations, e.g. for the blue of dyer's woad
Terra di Siena, bolus and Swedish red.
leaves through milling, fermentation and air drying
The raw materials for earth colors are recovered from according to traditional procedures.
natural deposits. Through treatment and cleaning
From a toxicological point of view, they are safe. Plant
including milling, sieving or washing, the earths are
colors are renewable raw materials of a high brilliancy
turned into dyes. Further treatment such as heating
and dyeing capacity. However, their use is restricted
is common for certain types (e.g. burnt umber, Terra
due to their lack of fastness, especially lightfastness.
di Siena).
Availability, demand and actual market price will also
From a toxicological point of view, earth colors are have to be considered in this context. Plant colors
absolutely safe as long as they are free of heavy metal started to gain importance when first used by Rudolf
impurities. From an ecological point of view, they are Steiner School teachers for glazing color design.
ideal since the natural materials can be used directly
Regarding field cropping, certified organical growth
after simple milling and cleaning, not requiring any
methods should be preferred doing without the use of
chemical processes such as transformation.
pesticides or artificial fertilizers. In recent years, woad
However, the fact that places of discovery are partly
cultivation has revived an ancient industry especially in
very limited may be considered a disadvantage. Thuringia.
Among the problems resulting thereof are: assault on
the landscape and risk of resource shortage in case
of "rare earths". Under color psychology aspects, earth 3.3.4 Synthetic Pigments
colors have a tranquilizing and harmonizing effect. Synthetic pigments are artificial organic pigments
and dyes. They can be synthesized in almost any
shade, especially in very pure color tones and also
3.3.2 Mineral Pigments
with visual effects (daylight-fluorescent paints etc.).
Mineral pigments are synthetic inorganic pigments Examples are: azo, dioxazine and phthalocyanine
(metal oxides). They include titanium dioxide, chrome pigments. Raw materials for synthetic pigments are
oxide green, iron oxide yellow, red, brown and black, crude oil, coal and tar.
ultramarine blue, nickel-titanium yellow. The ores they From a toxicological point of view, they cause certain
are recovered from come from natural deposits. Through problems since azo pigments with their benzene nucleus
simple chemical processes (e.g. precipitation, liberation) (aromatic hydrocarbons) are known for their carcinogenic
natural metal oxides are liberated from accompanying

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potential. Entirely synthetic products are made from so-called formaldehyde retardants that continuously
petrochemical base units in multistage process chains. release small amounts of (cancer-causing !) formaldehyde.
Among the most important base substances are the Aromatic and heterocyclic chemicals, partly halogenated
compounds benzene, phenol and aniline, all of which with chlorine or bromine, are also among the standard
are listed as toxic and carcinogenic. The individual biocides used. They represent some of the most
synthesis steps produce intermediates, and since the important hazardous substances to the environment
yield is not 100%, hazardous waste of a nonuniform which is why they are subject to identification require-
nature is being produced with every single step, finally ments under the Hazardous Substances Act. Despite
requiring thermal treatment or dumping at special sites their low share in the overall formulation (in case of
when being disposed of. The result is an environmental dispersion or waterborne paints only about 0.1 to 0.3
hazard through noxious substances (e.g. dioxins) and weight percent), they really are a toxicological and
a shortage of disposal areas. When synthesizing one ecological risk. These biocides are potentially hazardous
kilogram of azo pigment, about ten times the amont of to the human organism when inhaled, e.g. when volatile
hazardous waste is being produced Long-term effects and released to the indoor air, or when the wet or dry
on humans and the environment are unknown for many paint comes in contact with the skin and the biocides
synthetic pigments of today as new substitutes are reach the blood stream, thus potentially resulting in
being brought to the market every day, still completely dangerous accumulations in the fatty tissue.
unknown to both the eco system and the human Problems encountered with biocides and their
organism. A reintegration in natural cycles is impossible, toxicological assessment are discussed in more detail
at least for aromatic and chlorinated synthetic pigments, in Chapter 5 (Wood Protection).
since they are, unlike plant colors, biologically heavily
Another essential problem is the disposal: Whether
degradable and, unlike earth and mineral pigments, not
product remainders reach the sewage system, are
mineralizeable.
disposed of or incinerated as hazardous waste, they
are always potentially harmful to the environment since
3.4 Fillers they cannot be degraded by microorganisms.
Fillers usually means fine powdered stones providing Coating systems that do without the use of preservatives
body and hardness to the coating material. Compared are a true alternative. Lime and silicate paints are
to pigments, they are not or only insignificantly naturally protected from microorganism attacks through
chromophorous. Examples are: talcum, chalk and their high alkalinity (pH value above 11). In natural
quartz. Filling facade paints contain larger, paints and paints, however, essential oils such as thyme, lavender
glazes smaller amounts of fillers. From a chemical and and eucalyptus oil or boric salts are used for their
biological point of view, powdered stones are more or disinfecting effect. Both families are characterized by
less inert. Ecologically, only the landscape and energy human and environmental compatibility (e.g. boron
consumption during recovery and processing of the as a trace element for humans and plants) and their
fillers will have to be considered. ecological recyclability.

3.5 Additives Wetting agents

Auxiliary materials or additives are substances that are Wetting agents, also referred to as dispersing agents,
added to the coating material in small amounts in order are important for wetting and for integrating pigments.
to obtain certain qualities with view to storage life, Polycarboxylic acids, phosphoric acid esters and
processing or look. Additives as specified in DIN 55945 polyacrylates are among the common synthetic
very much in chemical structure, effect and ecological classes. Of plant origin are soy lecithin, Turkey red oil
importance. Therefore, some important classes are (sulfated castor oil) and olein, the oleic acid of a plant.
worth taking a closer look at: Shellac, a versatile additive in natural paints, is
recovered from the excrements of an Indian plant louse.
Thickeners Due to their chemical structure, wetting agents may be
irritating to the skin. An advantage of plant-based
are swellable in the solvent and control the consistency
products is the gentle recovery, the better degradability
of the paint. Common types are synthetics of the polyu-
and a good and healthy compatibility. Soy lecithin,
rethane and acrylate classes. Modified natural sub-
for example, is a constituent part of the soybean and
stances are the bentonites (layer lattice
contained in many foods.
silicate) and the cellulose derivatives. On a natural
renewable basis and, therefore, of a better environmental
compatibility are polysaccharides such as xanthan and Drying agents (Siccatives)
tragacanth. Xanthan is not only used in natural paints Drying agents are metal soaps, usually cobalt, barium,
and cosmetics, but also in food, e.g. in yoghurt. zirconium or manganese soaps of a carboxylic or
naphthenic acid. Drying agents support the oxidation
Pot preservatives (Biocides) drying of oil-based paints and are, therefore, indispen-
sible e.g in natural oil paints. Due to their heavy metal
Pot preservatives keep the paint from disintegration in
content, they represent a certain ecological and toxico-
the container, caused by mold or bacteria. Preservation
logical risk. However, siccatives that contain lead arein-
is only required for waterborne systems such as
tolerable today.
dispersion or water-based paints. Commonly used are

5
Plasticizers Because of the acid rain today, the use of lime based
Most synthetic resin paints contain plasticizers supposed paints outdoors is no more recommended as they
to keep the synthetic resin's normally very brittle and would require extensive maintenance. For indoors,
cracking-sensitive polymer chains flexible and expan- manufacturers of natural paints offer washable
dable. Commonly used are fatty acid esters (e.g. phthalic distempers in the form of a powder which may be
acid ester), sulfonic acid esters or amides and chlorinated prepared very easily by the user. These distempers are
paraffins. Non-polymerizable plasticizers, not integrated open-pored and emission-free, i.e. recommended from
in a polymer chain, might exude or evaporate by nature, an ecological and biological building point of view.
resulting in a release into the ambient air and in an
accumulation in room textiles, stored food and the 4.2 Silicate Paints
human organism. Even with a low acute toxicity, a steady Pure silicate paints without organic (artificial) ingredients
contact with plasticizers that have proven carcinogenic are supplied in terms of two components, the fixative
in animal tests must be considered potentially hazardous. (waterborne waterglass solution) and the powdered
pigment (filler combination toned with earth and mineral
Defoamers pigments). Silicate paints offer excellent biological
Defoamers inhibit the foam formation of waterborne building features since they are perfectly water vapor
paints during manufacture and when being stirred up. permeable and free of organic ingredients (solvents,
Commonly used are surface-active compounds of the biocides, plasticizers etc.). With view to the preservation
family of organosilicon chemicals as well as certain of monuments, they are absolutely ideal for old, often
polymers and alcohols. One thing these substances critical surfaces because they do not form film unliksyn-
have in common is their more or less water-endangering thetic resin systems.
effect. Solvents or essential oils are often also characte- Thanks to their excellent durability, silicate paints are
rized by a degassing effect and may, if required in the
formulation for other reasons, minimize the addition of Paint chemistry
special defoamers or make them even superfluous. Raw material base and intersection with other chemical industries

Other additives Food Plastics

Other additives may include e.g. skin inhibitors, flow chemistry chemistry
improvers, emulsifiers and initiators. In general, it can Natural Natural Synthetic
Renewable paints Synthetic Not
be said: The higher the requirements on the paint, the Regrowing Shellac, Lanolin paints renewable
larger the number of additives used. The chemical Beeswax
Fatty acids Polymers
affinity also has an impact: The less compatible two Milk casein Acrylates
components are, e.g. organic polymers and water, the Plasticizers
PVC
more additives will be required to eliminate the pertur-
bating forces. For waterborne paints, this would be
emulsifiers, defoamers, biocides, amines and film-forming Mineral paints
Lime
aids. From a toxicological point of view, some additives Silicate
are not harmless. However, when being added in very Mineral ores
small quantities only, a direct impact on human health
Mining,
is rarely found.
Coal, Steel and
What's more significant is the accumulation in the Cement industry
ecosystem and in the food chain. Many additives have Mineral
only been on the market for a few years or decades
which is why a final assessment with view to the impact
on humans and the environment is not yet possible.
cost-effective (maintenance intervals of 20 to 25 years).
Almost unconsidered are the synergies that may result Substrates, such as lime-containing plasters outdoors,
from the coexistence and interaction of very different also profit from the silicate paint because of its open-
additives. pored character and the silicification that takes place
between the silicate paint and the lime. The chart
4. Paint Systems details the most important differences found in water-
4.1 Limewashes borne facade systems. Unlike purely inorganic silicate
Today, lime is again being used more and more often paints, dispersion silicate paints have a maximum organic
for paints taking advantage of its excellent bactericidal content of 5 weight percent, usually an acrylate
and humidity control properties. Especially when used dispersion. The advantage of this product type is its
in combination with clay, the use of limewashes availability as a one-component product offering both
makes perfect sense. Since hydrated lime is highly good storage durability and easy processing on
water-soluble, limewash is the most simple paint type certain critical surfaces. However, the fact that most
imaginable that can do without additives. Furthermore, commercially distributed dispersion silicate paints are
limewash may also be used in terms of a pigment and organically bound, i.e. film-forming and only insignifi-
a binder. For further features, see chart. cantly silification-active, may be considered a clear
disadvantage.

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Facade Paints for Mineral Surfaces

in accordance to VOB DIN 18363

Mineral Systems Synthetic Resin Systems

Limewash Silicate paint Dispersion Synthetic resin Silicone resin
silicate paint dispersion paint emulsion paint

Binder Lime hydrate Potash waterglass Potash waterglass Synthetic resin Synthetic resin
and/or synthetic dispersion dispersion with
resin dispersion silicone resin emulsion

Organic content None None Max. 5 % 10-25 % 10-20 %

Drying/Curing through Carbonatation Silicification Silicification and/or Film formation Film formation
film formation

Film-forming No No Partially Yes Yes

Water-vapor permeability 0.02 0.04 - 0.08 0.08 - 0.6 0.6 -1.5 0.1 - 0.9

Raw material of the binder Limestone Quartz and potash Quartz and Crude oil Crude oil
potash/crude oil

Availability of the raw material Unlimited, Unlimited, Unlimited, Limited, only for Limited, only for
worldwide worldwide worldwide/limited a few more years a few more years

Organic solvents in the coating None None Partially Often Often

Outgassings of the coating None None Partially Often Often

(solvents, residual monomers,
plasticizers, amines)

Are defoamers, biocides, None None Partially Often Often

pot preservatives required

Degradation products of the binder Powdered stone Powdered stone Powdered stone/ Organic Organic
organic decomposition decomposition decomposition
products products,partly toxic products, partly toxic

Flammability/Gas formation No No Low flue gas formation, Flue gas formation, Flue gas formation,
in case of fire partly with toxic gases partly with toxic gases partly with toxic gases

Chemicals and energy consumption Low Low Low to high, depending High. High.
during basic renovation (brushing, cleaning) on silicification activity High-pressure water High-pressure water
jet with hot water jet with hot water
and chemical paint and chemical paint
stripper required stripper required

Durability of the coating (outdoors) Low, Very high, Medium to high, Low to medium, Medium,
especially insensitive to depending on with a tendency a little more durable
in regions aggressive silicification activity to flake and embrittle than purely synthetic
with acid atmospheric resin dispersion paints
precipitations substances

Ecological and biological building - Good Good Average Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory

Overall evaluation

4.3 Synthetic Resin Dispersion Paints will reach a total thickness that causes the coating to
Synthetic resin dispersion paints are also covered by flake due to stress. This will cause another problem:
DIN 18363 and, thus, a frequent constituent of the VOB the removal of the coating from the facade with
(contracting rules for the award of public works contracts). high-pressure water jet using hot water or through
Indoors and outdoors, they are the most common family a chemical paint stripper. Paint strippers are usually
of wall paints. Essential differences to mineral paints hazardous to health with a high solvent content and
are shown in the chart. partly chlorinated hydrocarbons that require identification
Synthetic resin dispersion paints are film-forming and, through labeling. Improper disposal, e.g. the introduction
therefore, less open-pored, water vapor and carbon of stripping residues into the sewage system, constitutes
dioxide permeable than silicate paints. The result is a a severe environmental offense. The energy and chemical
loss of indoor air quality since the natural indoor/outdoor requirements for renovating a facade that has been
water vapor exchange is being prohibited. Among the treated to form film are very high. Depending on the
secondary effects found may be mold and mildew formulation, synthetic resin dispersion paints will emit
formation (affecting the respiratory system and possibly solvents (unless solvent-free), plasticizers, residual
resulting in allergic reactions) or even a complete monomers and, if applicable, other low-volatile ingre-
penetration of the building substance with moisture. dients for years. This may result in a contamination of
the indoor air and cause health problems. Another
Another disadvantage of film formation is the fact that
group of synthetic resin dispersion paints are silicone
renovation coatings sum up and, after a few decades,

7
resin emulsion paints, i.e. silicone resin-modified, 4.5 Natural Paints
binder-reduced synthetic resin dispersion paints. DIN Natural paints are composed of plant or animal,
18363 neither specifies requirements nor minimum or renewable or mineral ingredients. The individual raw
maximum values for ingredients affecting the quality. materials are not at all or only slightly modified, thus
As can be taken from the chart, this paint type shows keeping their natural character.
no difference to synthetic resin dispersion paints from The basic idea to produce safe, ecological paints
an ecological and biological building point of view from available natural materials was, on the one hand,
which means that it can be considered nothing but a reaction to the wood preservative scandal of the 70s
another, not exactly defined version of these paints. and 80s. On the other hand, the upcoming ecological
understanding made some pioneers recognize that
4.4 Waterborne Paints – „The Blue Angel“ proven lime, shellac or plant oil based systems were
The environmental sign "Blue Angel" is assigned by replaced more and more often by petrochemical
the Bundesumweltamt (German Federal Environmental products with inherent problems regarding raw materi-
Agency) together with the RAL (German Institute for al recovery, disposal and biological building aspects.
Quality Assurance and Labeling, a non-profit organizati- The alternative is a production of some millions of tons
on) for products that - compared to other products for of balsamic terpenes from plants every year. Natural
the same purpose and considering aspects of environ- resins, vegetable oils and milk casein (from cow's milk)
mental protection including an economic use of are produced and again degraded in large amounts
resources – are characterized by their environmental without causing any disposal problems.
friendliness without their fitness-for-use or safety being The trend towards natural paints started with innovati-
reduced. ve small-size companies. In 1986, some natural paint
In the paint industry, the environmental sign is only manufacturers founded the Association for Natural
awarded to these two families of products: waterborne Colors (AGN) and set up quality requirements for the
paints with a maximum 10 weight percent organic natural paints that were produced at that time.
solvents content without toxic heavy metals, as well Petrochemical constituents, whether in terms of
as water-thinnable paints with a high solids content solvents or other formulation components, are not
and a solvent content of no more than 15%. Regard- accepted. With the full declaration of each and every
ing the reduction of solvents, this restriction to only ingredient, raw materials no longer remain a secret.
two products may be considered positive. However, it Chemically sensitive and environmentally ill persons
still remains hard to understand. In contradiction to its are thus prepared to avoid those ingredients that may
high claims, the environmental sign only considers the cause a life-threatening allergic shock.
"solvent" aspect while completely leaving aside factors
such as raw material requirements, renewability and Example of a full declaration of a natural paint:
ecological material balance.
Interior wall paint of an AGN member, washproof
Awarded the environmental sign because of low con- according to DIN 53778, covering white and solvent-
tent of noxious substances' may well refer to the end free. For universal indoors use on plaster, wallpaper,
product but does not include the synthetic chemicals lightweight building boards and recoatable old coa-
used in the course of its manufacture. As explained in tings.
Chapter 3 "Ingredients", a waterborne paint carrying
the environmental sign may be actively involved in pro- [1]: Tap water (L), Titanium dioxide (P);
ducing and releasing synthetic chemicals such as [2]: Aluminum silicate (P), Diatomaceous earth (P),
chlorine gas, phenol, benzene, aniline, phosgene and Zinc white (P), Beech cellulose (F), Talcum (F),
carcinogenic monomers. Disposal through composting Caolin (F), Dehydrated castor (stand) oil (B),
is impossible due to components such as biocides, Dammar (B), Refined linseed oil (B);
chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons. Instead, dis- [3]: Beeswax soap (W), Shellac (W), Boric salt (W),
posal in a special waste incineration plant will be Borax (W), Turkey red oil (W), Milk casein (W).
required, resulting in the release of dioxins and furans.
B Binder
Therefore, the environmental sign is unsuitable as a L Solvent
tool to clearly identify systems that are envi onmentally P Pigment, Filler
friendly by nature, such as linseed oil or lime based W Active agent, Auxiliary agent, Additive
products, or their ecologically unsafe counterparts
polyurethane or synthetic resin dispersion paints. Key to the ingredients according to weight percentage:
[1] Raw material rate in the product > 10 wt.%
[2] 1-10 wt.%
[3] < 1 wt.%
However, the full declaration also shows how natural,
renewable organic animal (casein, shellac) and plant
materials can be combined with natural mineral sub-
stances to form a fit-for-use product.

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5. Wood Protection With a purpose, we do not indicate limit values,

The wood preservative scandals of the 70s and 80s threshold limit values or maximum indoor air
essentially contributed to a more critical use of concentrations for common wood preservative
chemical products that used to be applied rather biocides. They merely reflect the actual classification
thoughtlessly, such as wood preservatives containing with the above mentioned restrictions which is why
PCP and lindane. Slowly but surely, people understand they should not be considered absolute or generally
that preventive wood protection doesn't necessarily valid. The fact that there are clearly different classifi-
mean chemical wood preservation. cations in the hazardous substances registers of our
neighboring countries should worry us.
DIN 68800 Part 3 – Preventive Chemical Wood
Protection – takes this development into account and Pyrethroides, the durable synthetic imitation of the
specifies which chemical wood protection will be natural phytotoxin pyrethrum from the chrysanthemum
required for which exposition grade (grade 0 to 5 flower, were long considered a "gentle" insecticide
depending on weathering) and against which wood but are lately massively criticized. They are strong
pest types (fungi, insects) this wood protection must neurotoxins which may result in chronic damages
be effective. The lack of chemical wood protection or even anaphylactic shock (death caused by a
requirements for exposition grades 0 and 1 is of a high spontaneous allergic reaction).
significance since it covers virtually any interior wood A real alternative, i.e. toxicologically harmless and
in service under normal living conditions. Wood preser- environmentally friendly mineral based wood
vatives contain biocides. There is, however, a tendency preservatives, are the boric salts. Common boric salt
to replace general purpose active agents such as the impregnations contain boric acid and borax in an
insecticide lindane with substances that aim at aqueous solution. These active agents are natural boron
inhibiting the development of potential pests. From an compounds occuring in salt lakes in the United States
ecological point of view, this trend is highly welcome as and in Turkey.
it counteracts the distribution of ubiquitous substances Of particular interest is their low toxicity: For humans
that are harmful to the environment. they are an essential trace element and, when taken
The effectiveness of wood preservatives is checked by orally, about as harmless as common salt (similar
the Institute for Building Engineering, Berlin, resulting in threshold limit values). Since they do not outgas or form
a certification mark. The test report specifies the ranges decomposition gases, they do not affect the indoor air.
of application and the preservative retention and details Boric salts are known for their preventive effect against
how to carry out the wood protection work. Of a similar fungi and insects and, as far as non-fixated water-
nature is the RAL quality label awarded by the soluble salts are concerned, are perfect for supporting
Association for Wood Preservative Quality Labels. wood constructions indoors. They are, however, not
In its information sheet on wood preservative handling, suitable for directly weathered areas outdoors such as
the Industrial Association for Construction Chemistry wood windows, formwork etc., even when painted or
and Wood Preservatives, a non-profit organization, otherwise coated. Boric salts offer another advantage:
declares quality labeled products non-hazardous They lower the flammability of wood. Thus, the use of
to health and environment when used according to traditional halogenated polymer based flame retardants
instructions, based on an assessment by the National may be minimized.
Department of Health (Bundesgesundheitsamt) for
biocidal agent clearance. However, among experts,
this declaration is somewhat controversial because
of the test criteria. The determination of upper limits,
for example, is based on numerical values which can
hardly be understood from a human toxicological point
of view since these values are usually obtained in tests
through short-term feeding to animals. From the lethal
dose thus obtained a still tolerable daily allowance for
humans is calculated. A short-term oral intake of
substances may, however, affect the test animals in
another way than will the long-term inhalation or skin
absorption of the same substance by humans. The risk
of chronically pathogenic effects is especially high in
outgassing wood preservatives. Among others, we
already know of nerve damages, concentration problems,
liver and skin damage (chlorine acne) and even cancer.

9
6. Hazardous Substances Ordinance possible and residue-free. These building materials,
The November 10, 1983, Hazardous Substances such as wood or linseed oil, are not at all sterile or
Ordinance requires that all hazardous substances are emission-free. They continously release small amounts
identified. In the field of paints and lacquers, the of (chemically analyzable) compounds, in the case
following classes are of particular importance: of wood e.g. wood vinegar, terpenes, etc. The fact
that human organisms have been exposed to these
F+ outgassings for thousands of years makes an acute
Extremely flammable toxic effect very improbable. It would surely make no
E.g.: vinyl chloride, methane, ethene, sense to determine threshold limit values for natural
ethine and carbon monoxide. wood emissions although any substance may be
hazardous to health starting from a certain concentration.
F
Threshold limit values for synthetic compounds
Flammable
completely unknown in living nature can be no more
E.g.: benzene, ethanol and acrylonitrile than recommendations, but do not have the quality of
T+ absolute values.
Very toxic The porosity of a coating may also have an impact on
E.g.: phosgene and hydrocyanic acid the indoor air quality: Open-pored paints are capable
T of taking up part of the air humidity and release it to the
Toxic (usually absorbent) substrate of plaster, stone or wood.
E.g.: phenol, benzene, vinyl chloride, chlorine, As the humidity of the air decreases, part of this pore
acrylonitrile, carbon monoxide, zinc chromate, water is again released into the room air. Intercalated
aniline, formaldehyde water also counteracts an electrostatic buildup which
C may become unpleasant in case of large metal and
Corrosive plastic surfaces whenever the humidity of the air is low.
E.g.: hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide and In rooms that lack any or a proper heat insulation and in
ammonia vaults etc. with a high humidity of the air, a particularly
Xi open-pored (mineral) paint is the only way to obtain an
acceptable room climate. The more dense and less
Irritating
water vapor permeable a film-forming coating is under
E.g.: acrylates, triethylamine and dichlorofluanide. such conditions, the sooner and more severe damages
Xn will become evident such as mold formation and
Harmful damages due to excessive moisture which may finally
E.g.: xylene, toluene, polychlorinated biphenyles, result in chronic respiratory diseases, allergic reactions
styrene and butyl glycol. and rheumatic symptoms. Wood, cork and open-pored
Identification requirements are usually depending ceramic tiles are also moisture controlling as long as
on concentrations which means that the lack of the they are not sealed with impermeable films. Oils and
corresponding label doesn't necessarily mean that waxes will maintain the natural porosity to a large extent.
the product is entirely free of dangerous substances.
Special care must be taken whenever the skull and
crossbones symbol is used: The corresponding
formulations may cause irreversible damages to
health or even death.

7. Room Climate
Building biology has started at a very early stage to
stress the manifold interrelations between the building
material, the room climate and the quality of living which
cannot be limited to technical-abstract numerical values,
limit values and physical characteristics.
One example: If the outgassing rate of a wood
preservative used in a kindergarden exceeds a set value
by only a few ppm (parts per million), authorities will
promptly initiate the reconstruction or shutdown of the
facility. If values remain only slightly below the limit,
no action will be required by law. However, it is highly
improbable that the few ppm that make the difference
between leaving the facility open or shut it down,
Pictures from top to bottom:
constitute a significantly higher toxicological risk for
When treated with oils and waxes, the pores are lined but not clogged.
the infants and the staff. Diffusible paint on a porous substrate.
Therefore, building biology requires the use of building When sealed, the pores are clogged and become gastight.

materials that are both natural to the largest extent

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Natural paints are, in general, suitable for interior design Interior plasters (mortar groups according to
purposes as they are usually absorbent and diffusible. DIN 18550), paper wallpapers, recoatable old
For a large number of applications, they are a true coatings in living areas.
alternative to very dense film-forming products. The - Traditional systems:
layer thickness of a conventional sealing may be about Synthetic resin dispersion paint (DIN 55945),
80 µm while a wax treatment will be less than 10 µm. washable and wear-resistant according to
The advantage: Building material pores are not clogged, DIN 53778:
but lined and, thus, remain naturally diffusible. - Recommendation:
Natural resin wall paint
8. Coating Recommendations (washable according to DIN 53778), alternatively:
(Using Environmentally Friendly Paints) Washable distemper.
The following list states alternatives to traditional coating
systems on surfaces meeting practical requirements: High traffic interior walls in public and commercial
buildings such as hospitals and kindergardens.
- Traditional systems:
Outdoors
Synthetic resin dispersion paint (DIN 55945),
Mineral facade plasters of mortar groups PI to PIII
wear-resistant according to DIN 53778 ("latex paint").
(DIN 18550), none or low water repellency
- Recommendation:
- Traditional systems:
Natural resin wall paint,
Synthetic resin dispersion paints, silicone resin paints
wear-resistant according to DIN 53778.
(DIN 18363)
- Recommendation:
Interior walls in vaulted basements,
Pure silicate paint (DIN 18363), alternatively:
stables or historical buildings with a
Dispersion silicate paint (DIN 18363).
high humidity of the air, substrate: lime plaster.
- Traditional systems:
Wood windows and sidings outdoors, constructive
Synthetic resin dispersion paint, washable according
wood protection measures (roof overhang, drainage,
to DIN 53778, fungicidal through the use of biocides.
wood grade etc.)
- Recommendation:
- Traditional systems:
Limewash, alternatively:
Alkyd paints and glazes, acrylic paints and glazes,
Silicate paint or silicification-active
emulsion paints (DIN 55945). Primer with
silicate paint for indoor use.
biocide-containing wood primer.
- Recommendation:
Diffusible pigmented oil based glaze, alternatively: 9. Painting Work
Oil varnish (DIN 55945) from renewable plant In general, when processing paints or other coating
materials. materials, some precautionary measures should be
taken. Products that contain solvents should be
Indoors applied only in well ventilated areas while a mobile
Interior wood formwork, planed or unplaned. or stationary exhaust unit will be required for a number
- Traditional systems: of commercial applications. This also applies to natural,
Acrylic paints and glazes, water thinnable. renewable solvents which, despite of their good
environmental and human compatibility, may in larger
- Recommendation:
concentrations and after longer exposure cause
Diffusible oil glaze, water thinnable
dizziness and irritation of the mucosa. More details
and solvent-free, alternatively:
about the personal protection to be used are given by
Milk casein/shellac based glaze, pigmented or
employer's liability insurance associations, consumer
colorless; or oil primer and subsequent waxing with
associations and paint manufacturers. Special care
beeswax or carnauba wax.
must be taken when using working materials that are
subject to labeling requirements.
Parquet floor, cork or open-pored ceramic tiles
When used in private homes, make sure that paints
in living areas.
are stored out of the reach of children. The disposal
- Traditional systems: of paint residues, empty containers etc. is specified in
Polyurethane, alkyd or acrylic resin based sealing. state laws. Since material recycling of paint residues
- Recommendation: is impossible for technical reasons because they are
Oil based primer and subsequent treatment neither type-specific nor separable from accompanying
with carnauba wax, alternatively: substances, law requires that such residues are
Oil based primer and subsequent treatment with disposed of as hazardous waste in incineration plants.
natural hard resin lacquer. Natural paints that are, principally, compostable are,
for the time being, not stated separately in the actually
valid list of waste codes.

11
There will be a chance to realize recycling in a gentle Indoor air analysis confirms a higher indoor air quality,
way through composting as soon as criteria such as i.e. quality of living, with less noxious substances and
biodegradability, water hazard class or limit values will a lower risk to health.
have been established for critical ingredients (e.g. heavy Many of the techniques have actually survived, e.g.
metals). Then, products would have to be separated, in the restoration business, where linseed oil varnish
based on their ingredients, in products that may be or casein paints are still used the traditional way for
composted and products that require thermal disposal. architectural monuments and historical buildings
and where low maintenance confirms the technical
10. Evaluation suitability of these methods and materials.
To sum up, it can be said that for most applications
there is a petrochemistry based status quo, i.e.
a synthetic resin paint in a broader sense, on the one
hand, with an environmentally-friendly, mineral or plant
based alternative, on the other hand. An obvious, but in
the end completely unsatisfactory classification in
"toxic" and "non-toxic" paints has been avoided since
such classification would fail to meet ecological require-
ments. Essential criteria are, however, the raw material
availability, the extent of the chemical transformation,
the health compatibility and the reintegration in nature's
cycles.
The depletion of crude oil resources is only a question
of time depending less on how we manage to recover
them, but rather on how reasonably we will use the
resources that are left. Concerning energy, a thermal
protection ordinance was realized with the objective to
save fossile energy resources while releasing less CO2
and other noxious gases into the atmosphere. The
mechanism is the same in any petrochemical product:
Not only are raw material resources running out but the
use of petrochemical products also causes more and
more environmental problems with view to climatic
changes, accumulation of airborne pollutants and
growing amounts of waste.
Renewable plant raw materials save fossile energy
resources. At the same time, they offer a perspective
to agriculture through an as far as possible regional
supply of biological-dynamically grown useful plants.
The fact that useful plants do not only provide paint
raw materials but also fibers (flax), wood (pine) or citrus
fruits, has another positive effect on the economical
and ecological balance. Plant raw materials offer one
more alternative to fossile resources since the shortage
of the latter will sooner or later result in a significant
price increase.
Material cycles depicted in Chapter 3.1.2 "Synthetic
Organic Binders" show a considerable number of
hazardous substances wherever synthesis steps are
carried out under potentially hazardous conditions.
Comparatively troubleless are the cycles and trans-
formations encountered in mineral paint production.
CO2, for example, is released during heating, but is
again taken up by the chemically reactive binder during
drying. This "gentle chemistry" is also the basis for
natural paints which almost completely do without
chemical transformation processes and, thus, avoid
both the risk of accidents and highly toxic intermediates
during production. The exclusive and consequent use
of natural paints also assures that no "traditional" toxins
such as formaldehyde, aromatic or chlorinated hydro-
carbons are introduced into your home.

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Standards: Addresses:

DIN 18363 AGN

VOB Verdingungsordnung für Bauleistungen, Teil C: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Naturfarben
Allgemeine Technische Vertragsbedingungen für
Im Asemwald 12
Bauleistungen (ATV), 1992.
70599 Stuttgart
DIN 55945
Beschichtungsstoffe IHG
(Lacke, Anstrichstoffe und ähnliche Stoffe), 1988. Interessengemeinschaft der
Holzschutzmittelgeschädigten
DIN 68800 Teil 3 Unterstaat 14
Holzschutz, vorbeugender chemischer 51766 Engelskirchen
Holzschutz, 1990.
IBN
Institut für Baubiologie und Ökologie
Bibliography: Holzham 25
Adler, Adam; Mackwitz, Hanswerner: 83115 Neubeuern
Ökotricks und Bioschwindel, Wien 1991.
Institut für Baubiologie
Gefahrstoffverordnung, zusammengestellt Rosenheim GmbH
und überarbeitet von Vater, Heilig-Geist-Straße 54
Ursula, Bde. 1 und 2, Bonn 1994.
83022 Rosenheim

Institut für Bautechnik (Hrsg.):

Katalyse e.V. -
Holzschutzmittelverzeichnis, Berlin 1995.
Institut für angewandte Umweltforschung
Mauritiuswall 24-26
Leiße, Bernhard:
Holzschutzmittel im Einsatz, Wiesbaden/Berlin 1992. 50676 Köln

Ders.: Holz natürlich behandeln, Verband der Lackindustrie e.V.

Reihe Sanfte Chemie, Heidelberg/Braunschweig 1994. Karlstraße 21
60329 Frankfurt a.M.
Neumüller, Otto-Albrecht:
Römpps Chemie-Lexikon, Stuttgart 1979.

Rose, Wulf-Dietrich:
Wohngifte, Oldenburg/Hunte 1984.

Weissenfeld, Peter:
Holzschutz ohne Gift ?, Staufen bei Freiburg 1988.

13
BEECK’sche
FARBWERKE
BEECK’sche FARBWERKE
Beeck GmbH & Co KG
Internet: www. beeck.de
e-mail: beeck@beeck.de
Management:
Postfach 81 02 24
D-70519 Stuttgart
Tel. +49(0 )711/ 90 02 00
Fax +49(0 )711/ 9 00 20 10
Factory:
Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 4
D-89150 Laichingen
Tel. +49(0 )73 33 / 96 07 11
Fax +49(0 )73 33 / 96 07 10