While VOC levels remain an important consideration, sustainable coatings today are better understood through a broader lens, one that brings together material chemistry, third-party certification, lifecycle performance, and product stewardship.

Dulux’s approach reflects this shift: delivering products that meet evolving sustainability expectations without compromising on performance or durability.

Moving beyond single metrics

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have historically been the primary focus when evaluating coatings. Their relevance remains clear, particularly in relation to indoor air quality and occupant wellbeing.

However, coatings are made up of multiple components. Binders, pigments, extenders, additives, each contributing to product performance and environmental impact.

Dulux’s product development approach reflects this complexity, with ongoing reformulation focused on reducing chemicals of concern, lowering emissions, maintaining durability and application performance and more.

This balance is critical. For specifiers, it reinforces that sustainability is not driven by a single attribute, but by how the entire formulation performs over time.

Aligning products with building certification frameworks

A clear understanding of how product certifications support building standards is essential for effective specification.

• Building standards such as Green Star and Homestar assess overall project performance
• Product certifications such as Eco Choice Aotearoa and Global GreenTag verify individual products and contribute to those ratings

Dulux products are designed to support both.

Third-party certifications: credibility and clarity

Independent certification remains a key tool for simplifying decision-making and ensuring confidence in product claims.

Eco Choice Aotearoa

• New Zealand’s official environmental label
• Recognised by NZGBC
• Strong focus on VOC and lifecycle impact, and supply chain impacts
• Actively used across Dulux product ranges

Global GreenTag

• Holistic certification assessing product and supply chain impacts
• Provides tiered sustainability ratings
• Achieved by Dulux products such as: 
  
  • EnvirO2
  • Intergrain UltraDeck Timber Oil
  • Porter’s Paints Eggshell finish

DuluxGroup was the first paint manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve GreenTag certification, highlighting a long-standing commitment to independently verified sustainability. 

Performance and durability as sustainability drivers

A durable coating is one of the most effective ways to reduce environmental impact over the life of a building.

Longer maintenance cycles mean less frequent repainting, reduced material consumption, and lower lifecycle waste.

Dulux product development places strong emphasis on durability, ensuring coatings maintain colour integrity, resist mould and wear and deliver long-term surface protection.

This is relevant for systems such as Dulux DURATION protective coatings, designed for corrosion resistance in demanding environments while remaining low VOC and water based. In this context, sustainability is closely linked to how long a coating performs, not just how it is formulated. Dulux Weathershield for example, has been specially designed to provide a tough, hard-wearing finish that provides protection from all weather conditions.

Supporting indoor air quality and health

For interior applications, reducing emissions remains a key priority, particularly in healthcare, education, and residential environments.

Dulux solutions such as EnvirO2 delivers very low VOC levels, high durability and washability, packaging with post-consumer recycled content. These products demonstrate how environmental performance and user experience can be addressed simultaneously.

Advancing material health and transparency

Global frameworks such as the Living Building Challenge are raising expectations around material transparency and chemical safety. The introduction of the Red List, which identifies materials to be avoided has accelerated industry focus on safer formulations.

Dulux is responding by formulating new products to be Red List Free and continuing to remove chemicals of concern from existing ranges. This aligns with a broader transition towards greater transparency and improved material health outcomes.

A lifecycle approach: Manufacturing to end-of-life

Sustainable coatings extend beyond formulation to include manufacturing, packaging, and disposal. Dulux’s local manufacturing operations support reduced transport-related impacts, improved control over waste and water use, investment in wastewater treatment and recycling processes.

At end-of-life, initiatives such as the Dulux Paint Take-Back Scheme enable the recycling of packaging, responsible disposal of leftover paint and increased use of post-consumer recycled materials. Complementary solutions such as ENVIROSOLUTIONS®help manage paint waste and washings on-site, supporting responsible practices during construction.

Together, these initiatives reflect a product stewardship approach across the full lifecycle.

Supporting specifiers with confidence

As sustainability requirements become more detailed and interconnected, the role of coatings in delivering compliant, high-performing buildings will continue to grow.

Dulux’s approach is grounded in verified performance through third-party certifications, alignment with Green Star and Homestar frameworks, ongoing product innovation to reduce environmental impact and a strong focus on durability, health and lifecycle outcomes

For specifiers, the opportunity is to select coatings that actively contribute to project outcomes across all these areas.

Dulux’s range and investment in sustainability provide a practical pathway to achieving this, supporting better buildings without trade-offs in quality or performance.