The CTC Technology Centre has launched the GREENPAINT project, which aims to develop more respectful and environmentally friendly paints for corrosion protection. It is an innovative solution that the centre will perform with nanomaterials and water-based resins to offer a sustainable improvement of anti-corrosion coatings used for metal substrates.

Eco-friendly paints are generally used to protect metal structures against corrosion and degradation. However, these products have many disadvantages from an environmental sustainability standpoint. Traditionally, the most effective paints against corrosion are those based on chromium-rich coatings, which are toxic and pose a risk to human health and the environment.

Therefore, there is a great challenge to obtain low environmental impact coating solutions with the same anti-corrosion efficiency as traditional coatings. CTC is seeking a solution to this problem through the GREENPAINT project, which aims to minimise the environmental damage caused by organic coatings. Cantabria’s only technology centre plans to develop environmentally-friendly corrosion protection paints through the combined use of water-based resins and nanotechnology-based fillers.

This initiative follows CTC’s strategic line of specialisation, the challenge of which is the development and characterisation of coatings with improved and more effective performance against corrosion. In turn, a strategic line is based on the commitment to create advanced solutions that do not harm the environment, adapt to the natural environment, and promote a commitment to sustainability.

In this sense, this strategic line based on developing sustainable and environmentally friendly anti-corrosion solutions is aligned with the Green Transition objectives of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, which is responsible for channelling European Funds for economic recovery.

In addition, implementing the GREENPAINT project will help the centre significantly improve its technical and technology transfer capabilities for the industrial sector, particularly for coating and paint companies.

The CTC Technological Centre has received a grant for the project through the Cantabria Operational Programme FEDER 2014- 2020 within the INNOVA 2021 line of subsidies, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.