Keim Optil, the paint that takes care of your lungs and the environment

By Batipole Edition Published on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 02:00 PM

Photo credits : GERMAN

Indoor air quality is a major concern when painting. A pioneer in this field for many years, Keim has just created Optil paint: it emits 50 times fewer VOCs than AFSSET standards and respects both the health of its users and the environment, without compromising on color quality or durability.

Batipôle Editorial

Indoor air quality - KEIM OPTIL, the first paint certified A+ for its health qualities

Until now, little concerned by environmental issues, indoor air quality is now a central concern for the public, who spend an average of 85% of their time indoors. Aware of the issues involved, its consequences for the environment and the health of occupants, public authorities have strengthened requirements with the objective of reducing VOC* emissions from paints by 2010% compared to 50 levels in 1990.

As the only exclusive manufacturer of 100% mineral paints, KEIM was the first to undertake a voluntary process to assess the environmental impacts of its paints. In 1996, KEIM published an eco-balance of its paints and obtained ISO 14001 certification. In 2006, KEIM was the first paint manufacturer to be awarded the most demanding ecological label, Naturplus.

In order to meet the new health requirements, KEIM has submitted its mineral paint for interiors, Optil, intended for housing, the tertiary sector (offices, shops, etc.), and communities (hospitals, nurseries, etc.), to CSTB tests. Result: Optil achieves emission rates well below current requirements and thus establishes itself as the leading paint:

in accordance with the protocol of the French Agency for Environmental and Occupational Health Safety** (AFSSET),

classified as "A+" for its VOC emissions into indoor air, well before the regulatory obligation of 2012,

received the health assessment test.

The tests have indeed demonstrated VOC emission rates up to 50 times lower than the AFSSET reference limit values and formaldehyde levels*** four times lower !

The tests also confirmed the absence total of carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances of category 1 or 2.

New challenges for the indoor environment of buildings

Spending the majority of our time in enclosed environments (residential, work or public spaces), we are exposed to numerous pollutants.
Their high concentration can have an impact on health and their sources are multiple:

- some are of biological origin such as allergens from dust mites, molds, pets,

- others, such as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), are chemical substances that are ubiquitous in nature and in built-up areas. These VOCs are emitted mainly by construction and decoration materials (paints, glues, coatings, floor and wall coverings), by furniture, as well as by occupants and their activities.

Due to the large surface area covered and the health impact of these products, interior wall and ceiling paints deserve special attention in all buildings. Indeed, VOC emissions from paints depend on their formulation and, above all, on the dissolution method of the various elements (resins, pigments, fillers, etc.) that make up the film applied to the painted surface. The air quality in premises is significantly degraded if the paint contains petroleum or natural solvents.

Since January 1, 2010, the use of VOCs in paints has been restricted by the mandatory application of the European Directive (2004-42/EC). This directive only concerns the VOC content of materials in their container and not the emission of VOCs into the air. This difference is very important from a health perspective.

In 2009, AFSSET published a new protocol for qualifying building products based on their VOC and formaldehyde emissions. This applies to all solid, liquid, and combined materials.

Following on from the Grenelle Environment Forum, which made the fight against indoor air pollution one of its priority actions, a project to label decorative products will be mandatory from 2012, particularly regarding their emissions and volatile pollutant content according to a four-class scale: from A+, low emission level, to C, high level. This will allow France* to join Sweden, Germany and Japan, which already have labeling systems. In Japan, such measures have made it possible to reduce the number of homes exceeding the reference level for formaldehyde from 30% to 1% in five years.

Optil: the first paint to comply with the AFSSET protocol and to be classified as "A+" for its VOC emissions into indoor air

As the inventor of 100% mineral paint, KEIM was the first manufacturer to undertake a voluntary process to assess the environmental impacts of its paints. To demonstrate the qualities of its Optil interior paint, KEIM began a process in 2009 to assess VOC and formaldehyde emissions according to the AFSSET protocol. Led by the CSTB, the tests were conducted in a test chamber. VOC and formaldehyde samples were pumped after 1 day, 3 days, and 28 days.

The results obtained attest to the exceptional health properties of Optil mineral paint:

Optil complies with the requirements of the AFSSET protocol:

Emissions from the sum of all VOCs (TVOC) are from :

293 μg*/m3 at 3 days, or 30 times lower than the AFSSET limit value (10 μg/m000)

19 μg/m3 at 28 days, i.e. 50 times lower than the AFSSET limit value (1 μg/m000)

Formaldehyde emissions are 2,5 μg/m3 at 28 days, i.e. 4 times less than the AFSSET limit value. (10 μg/m3)

Well before the regulatory obligation in 2012, Optil was the first very low-emissive paint to obtain the "A+" indoor air emissions classification:

Optil paint has not no detectable emissions for 8 of the 11 substances selected. Obtaining the overall A+ classification means that the emissions of each of the 11 substances analyzed individually, as well as the sum of the emissions of these compounds, are below the lowest limit thresholds.

Optil is the first mineral paint to have successfully passed the health assessment test:

The tests also made it possible to attest the total absence of carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances (CMR) category 1 or 2, making Optil compliant with the requirements of the 2009 decrees.

Thanks to these exceptional results, Optil paint is now the benchmark in terms of health quality. Additionally, Optil benefits from a high pH (around 12) to limit the development of mold, more suitable for slightly acidic environments (5 to 7).
Finally, its very high permeability to water vapor ensures natural regulation of the humidity level in the premises.

Optil: respect for the environment without compromising on quality and color!

Available in more than 300 shades from the KEIM color chart, Optil is a washable, matte interior mineral finish paint. based on a double binder potassium silicate/silica sol, ready to use. Thanks to its exceptional environmental properties, Optil can be used in all residential and commercial buildings and is particularly suitable for collective premises such as nurseries, hospitals, schools, etc.

Designed for interior decoration work, Optil mineral paint is made from mineral pigments and a binder that is perfectly UV-stable, ensuring faithful color retention, even for the most vibrant colors. Like all KEIM mineral paints, Optil is guaranteed for 20 years for its UV resistance. Applicable on lime plaster, cement, unpainted concrete, unpainted plaster, plasterboard, or old paints, Optil retains all the properties of its mineral origin.

Completely odorless, Optil allows for rapid reintegration of premises. Thanks to its water vapor permeability, it allows for renovation without stripping, simply by covering. Finally, its good bond with the substrate ensures impeccable durability over time.

Optil paint technical characteristics:

Incombustible (M0 on M0 support).

Mineral matte appearance, high luminosity.

Exceptional covering power.

Free from solvents, plasticizers, biocides.

Algicidal and germicidal properties.

Very easy to apply.

Available in all shades from the KEIM Palette Exclusiv and KEIM Avantgarde color charts.

Drying time (20°C): Recoatable = 12 hours minimum.

Consumption: approx. 0,125 l/m² per coat.

Application: by brush, roller or Airless spray (0,79 mm nozzle).

Cleaning the equipment: with water immediately after use.