Page 42 - Respond 2018 Magazine
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       Construction-site waste is also reduced, leading to a   Save energy by keeping buildings cooler
       lower environmental impact.                      For cities experiencing seasons with high temperature,
                                                        cooling building is a significant source of energy
       One good example is the rising trend in the use of   consumption. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
       Thermal Insulation Decorative Boards in China where   Change anticipates that by 2100 the need for electricity
       such boards deliver both aesthetics and insulation   to power cooling will have increased to more than 30x
       in one solution. Unlike a traditional External Thermal   the level of year 2000. To decrease this need for cooling,
       Insulation Composite System (ETICS/EIFS) where   the choice of the paint on the building has an important
       every layer is painstakingly applied and put together   role as it can absorb more, or less of the solar energy,
       on site, the coating layers are systematically applied   subsequently transmitting this as heat energy to the
       and combined with the insulation layer in a factory   building. Traditionally the only way to influence this
       environment. This enables a much higher construction   was to recommend white or light shades which reflect
       efficiency and better quality control than conventional   light, notably visible light which contributes to 50%
       ETICS/EIFS which can be highly subjective to the   of the total solar energy. AkzoNobel has successfully
       reliability and quality of workmanship.          developed a first generation of paints that offer vivid
                                                        colours together with the ability to keep the surface
       The controlled application processes also allow access   cooler. This technology, KeepCool™, is based on special
       to a much wider technology platform, some of which   pigments that have been selected based on their ability
       would have been inhibitive to use in traditional exterior   to reflect better in the near infrared region of the solar
       wall paint. For instance, with UV or high temperature   spectrum, which contributes to 40% of the solar energy.
       curing, new technologies can be considered such as   The result is that the surface can be 5 degrees C lower
       UV-cure binders, fluorocarbon polymers and sol-gel   than without this technology, leading to a potential
       processes. Advanced manufacturing processes, with   10 to 15% energy saving for the building. AkzoNobel
       new technologies including 3D printing, will allow more   is already progressing with the second generation of
       sophisticated coating systems design, opening the way to   thermal energy management, incorporating objects of a
       advanced functionalities such as solar energy harvesting   same size order as the wavelengths of light intended to
       through photovoltaics, or thermoelectric features.  scatter, but with a refractive index very different from
                                                        its surrounding medium. This allows light diffraction
       Last, but not least, as the current market is mainly   and scattering back part of the incoming energy.
       driven by solvent-based solutions, AkzoNobel’s
       objective and motivation is to develop, deliver and   At AkzoNobel we are working everyday to propose
       promote water-based solutions to contribute to the   the most sustainable and performing products to
       reduction of VOC emission, while maintaining an   our customers. With their trust and support, we will
       equivalent performance.                          continue to be a pioneer in the market on sustainability
                                                        and innovation.
       AkzoNobel’s research community and our partners
       are working hard to extend exterior wall paint   www.akzonobel.com
       functionality and durability to up to 30 years. This will
       enable a much longer maintenance and repainting
       cycle, hence reducing building maintenance costs and
       environmental impact.







                                                        Pamela Phua has more than 20 years’ experience in Research,
                                                        Development and Innovation (RD&I) in the coatings industry. In
                                                        her current role as Director of RD&I for AkzoNobel, she drives
                                                        new technology development and product implementation
                                                        across the South East, South Asia and Middle East regions.
                                                        Ms Phua was instrumental in setting up the global research and
                                                        laboratory operations for AkzoNobel Decorative Paints (Global
                                                        Exterior Wallpaint Expertise Group) in 2011. In her global
                                                        capacity, Ms Phua implements the functional and product
                                                        innovation strategy for Exterior Wallpaint. She spearheads the
                                                        RD&I functional excellence, standards and capability.
                                                        pamela.phua@akzonobel.com
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