I’ve blogged previously of the equally immutable and poisonous facts of paint manufacturing: the process' dependence on petro-chemical resins and earthen pigments. Notably, Titanium Dioxide.
THE pair conspiring so that a typical gallon of architectural paint weighs in at 13-pounds; six of those pounds are comprised of water, the remaining seven are toxic waste.
It’s only the curing process which encapsulate those chemicals well-enough to make them safe for human proximity. Liquid paint, remains classified as a hazardous waste in all 50-states.
And while curing seems to make paint safe (more on that in a moment) the process itself is a hazard with VOC off-gassing significantly contributing to a reduction in air quality.
Making off-gassing just pollution – rebranded!
And paint's environmental impacts are not limited to land and sky. Recently the Swiss research group Environmental Action reported that particles of paint comprised 58% of all the microplastics currently infesting the world’s oceans!
Poseidon's mistints!
The paint chemists and manufacturing executives I'm in touch with tell me that there's no reasonable replacement for petroleum-based resins or Titanium Dioxide and by the lack of change it seems the industry agrees!
Making it more likely that it will be a technology company which creates a more planet-friendly solution to reflect and personalize color, rather than a paint maker!
How are Hue?
In my combination home office, studio and man cave, lighting is supplied via the Philip’s Hue system; a Bluetooth compatible collection of LEDs which once paired with the app, allow me to change the room’s color with a flick of my thumb.
In addition to the instant gratification, Hue’s color range and customization possibilities are far greater than anything which paint will ever be capable of.
And while the Hue system currently requires I change the color of all the light in the room, how long will it be until the technology allows me to reflect the walls, ceiling and trim to my specification?
That Wasn’t Long!
Recently automaker BMW unveiled their iVision Dee concept car; THE ultimate driving machine of the future!
The unveiling gave engineers in Munich an opportunity to foretell their vision for the future of automotive paints.
Which luckily for #DanCalkins, Benjamin Moore does not make.
Because rather than paint, the iVision’s steel is wrapped in BMW’s E Ink panels. the upgrade allowing the car to change colors instantly using either an app, the car's information panel or voice commands recognized by the integrated AI.
The level of customization perhaps fulfilling a former paint dealer's dream. “Hey Siri, add a drop of blue!"
Based on similar technologies to those found in e-readers and similar electronic devices, the technology in E Ink is nothing new. It’s only BMW’s application of them as a "car paint" which is in the concept phase.
Asked when consumers can expect to see E Ink on a production BMW, project engineers shared that while there were currently no plans to put the technology into production, "There exists real world possibilities for an E-Ink production car.”
"Hey Siri, can I stick them to the wall?"
