Sustainability, Circularity & Net Zero Seminars

This workshop focuses on what happens after decisions have been made - and the barriers to adoption when moving sustainable coatings from concept into application, production and long-term use.

Many sustainable coatings meet regulatory and sustainability targets on paper, but face new challenges once they are applied, scaled up and used in the field. Cost remains a key barrier, with adoption often driven more by regulation, certification and specification than by customer pull, particularly in B2B and industrial markets.

This practical, experience-led workshop explores the operational and performance realities of delivering sustainable coatings to market, alongside the challenges of implementation. Drawing on real examples from formulators, suppliers and end users, it examines performance gaps, application variability, durability expectations, and how changes to application practices, equipment and processes can create additional hurdles.

It will also explore customer perception, including scepticism around green claims and limited awareness of the benefits sustainable solutions deliver, as well as how companies manage customer trust, warranties and liability when trade-offs and unintended consequences become visible.

Designed around shared experiences rather than presentations, the session provides practical insight into making sustainable coatings work in real-world conditions.

Chair: Brian Roulstone 

Most of us can agree that installing solar panels and generating renewable energy can be beneficial, not just for the environment, but the bank balance and company image too. Producing your own electricity and becoming less reliant on purchasing energy can also protect companies from external factors that heavily influence the cost of electricity, and increase competitiveness, ultimately due to lower energy costs. When it comes to choosing the correct system, there are numerous options, both in terms of hardware and how to finance the project, and we also must not forget ongoing maintenance.

This presentation will briefly explain the concept of solar energy and expand on the three main systems that are available, but it will also the two main ways to pay for a solar installation, as no one system or finance option will fit every situation. The presentation will draw upon practical experience of managing an installation from conception to realisation and detail some of the issues encountered and solutions provided to deliver a solar installation.

Sustainability in effect pigments can be enhanced through several key measures. Using secondary and low‑carbon aluminium significantly reduces energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. Low‑VOC products such as Versalan® minimize solvent impact, while high‑coverage pigments like STAPA® HD help lower material usage. Together, these approaches reinforce ECKART’s commitment to producing efficient and sustainable effect pigments.