Netherlands-based Baril Coatings is on a mission to become 100% renewable by 2030. The coatings expert intends to achieve this through product development and adaption. Owner Teun Duijghuisen and Technical Director Joost Broeders sat down with Inside Sustainability to explain more. Report by Imogen Ward.
After taking part in a local challenge 20 years ago, Baril Coatings was inspired to implement a greener way of thinking.
“The challenge was focused on corporate social responsibility,” said Technical Director Joost Broeders. “It really opened our eyes and made us realise that sustainability was the only way forward. We wanted to keep doing what we were doing, but in a more responsible way.”
For more than 40 years, Baril has delivered coatings that are durable, high in quality and cost-effective. With extended life span and fewer harmful substances, the
company’s portfolio is brimming with low-emission paint for every surface.
Currently, Baril has several brands within its portfolio: the industrial coatings brands DualCure, SteelKote, Aquaran and Bariline, plus the decorative coating brands Copperant and fairf; All of which are formulated and manufactured in its three production facilities located in the Netherlands and the US.
With the desire to minimise its impact on the environment, Baril invested in solar panels, electric cars and a myriad of energy saving measures, which have been implemented throughout each of its facilities.
However, armed with the knowledge that 90% of its carbon footprint is generated from its raw materials, the company switched focus to its supply chain.
The transition
With the intention of becoming 100% renewable by 2030, Baril has begun the long-winded process of adapting its portfolio to reduce its reliance on fossil-based materials. As it stands, the company has successfully replaced 50% of the fossil-based content from its decorative range and a further 25% from its construction paints.
“We use organic materials within all our formulations, but we still rely on fossil-based components,” Owner Teun Duijghuisen explained. “We are working to exchange these for bio-based ingredients; however, it’s going to take a lot of time and ingenuity. Currently, we still rely on minerals for our paint pigments, which cannot be easily replaced with organic material.
“To overcome this dilemma, we are actively exploring the possibility of recycled pigments.”
Due to the high environmental strain that sourcing its white pigment creates, Baril has been working alongside the construction industry to adapt the process. Currently, the pigment is extracted from mined ore –a process where 92% of the resulting material is waste. A high impact chemical process is also required for extraction, which generates a significant amount of carbon.
“We are attempting to use the waste material from the construction industry to create recycled pigment,” said Mr Broeders. “By introducing the recycled pigment into our formulations, we will considerably reduce the carbon footprint of the product.”
Although currently still in its pilot phase, the results are promising, and Baril anticipates a market release within the next two years.
The company is also collaborating with its supply chain to develop other greener alternatives to improve the sustainability of its products.
“We are working hard to co-develop all k inds of solutions with our partners,” Mr Broeders continued. “It is difficult to get a grip on the entire chain, but we have open communication with each supplier, and we are really encouraging them to operate with economic, social and environmental values in mind.”
Some of Baril’s more popular options include its DualCure coatings. Using patented technology these offer quick curing times, without using additional energy. Although currently relying on fossil-based activators, the company is developing several biobased alternatives for these products.
Adding to its palette
For Baril, 2023 was a year of successes. During this time, the company released two biobased coatings that are designed to meet the needs of the construction industry.
“We had to run pilot tests on the formulations and then introduce them to customers to decipher whether they were compatible with their requirements,”
Mr Broeders explained. “All together, this process took around two years to complete.”
All being well, Baril expects to transition its entire portfolio by 2030. With its first biobased polyurethane topcoats expected to hit the market in the coming months.
“The speed at which we transition our products really comes down to the availability of raw materials,” Mr Duijghuisen explained. “But we intend to transition them as swiftly as possible.”
To enhance its operations whilst inching closer to being 100% renewable, Baril is developing a new C5 system that will be ready for Q4 this year. This will contain at least 40% renewable content.
“The new system will include biowaste epoxy primer and a polyurethane topcoat,” Mr Duijghuisen added. “Joining our roster of C1, C2, C3 and C4 environment systems, the C5 allows us to supply a broader range of customers.”
Curated conferences
For Baril, conferences are a key element of the industry. To facilitate industry-wide decarbonisation, the company believes everyone will have to come together to brainstorm solutions.
In line with this belief, the company is preparing to hold its own renewables conference later this year. The first of its kind, Baril will invite all raw materials suppliers and institutions to gather and promote sustainable development.
“We really want to show everyone what is already possible, by giving them the stage to showcase their developments,” Mr Duijghuisen explained. “This is a great
opportunity to bring the market together and encourage others to contribute towards the transition to renewability.”
L inked to the company’s desire to reach 100% renewability by 2030, the conference is just one of many things Baril has planned for this year. As part of its 2024 agenda, Baril will invest in students looking to enter the industry.
“We already have an internship scheme in place with local high schools and universities, which has been running for more than 30 years,” said Mr Broeders. “We believe in helping young people achieve their ambitions, and it gives us an opportunity to better understand the changing themes within society.”
“The creativity generated by these individuals is what it’s all about,” Mr Duijghuisen added, in conclusion. “We aspire to provide the perfect environment for our employees to thrive and excel. They are the backbone of Baril, and a huge factor in our success.” n
