Industrial Painting Services in Sydney | Trusted Industrial Painters
18 September 2025
What’s Low Sheen Paint? Where to Use Low Sheen Paints?
20 September 2025
Why Choosing EPD-Certified Paints Matters for Australia’s Net Zero Goals
Walk down any Aussie street and you’ll see freshly painted homes, offices, and community spaces. Paint is everywhere. It brightens up our lives, protects buildings from the harsh Aussie sun, and helps us feel good about where we live. But there’s something most of us don’t think aboutو paint has a carbon footprint. And if we’re serious about Australia’s net zero target, we need to start paying attention to the products we use, including the paint that goes on our walls.
What Does “Carbon Footprint” Mean in Painting?
Every pot of paint has a story before it lands at Bunnings or gets loaded into a painter’s ute. The raw materials are mined or manufactured, transported, blended in a factory, packed, and shipped. Later, the paint is applied, washed out, and eventually disposed of. Each step uses energy and resources, and most of that creates greenhouse gases. That’s the “carbon footprint” of paint.
Some paints use petrochemicals and energy-heavy processes, which create more emissions. Others are made with renewable or recycled content, or use cleaner manufacturing methods. Over the lifetime of a building, the right paint can also reduce maintenance and energy costs, lowering its overall impact.
Enter the EPD: A Paint’s Report Card
This is where EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) come in. An EPD is like a nutrition label for paint, but instead of calories and sugar, it lists the environmental impact of making and using that product. It’s a third-party verified document based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
In simple terms:
- It shows how much carbon is created from cradle to grave.
- It measures things like energy use, water use, and waste.
- It lets architects, builders, and even homeowners compare products on more than just price or colour.
If you see a paint brand with an EPD, it means they’ve gone through a strict process to prove their environmental claims. It’s not greenwashing.
Why This Matters for Australia
Australia has committed to net zero by 2050. Buildings account for nearly a quarter of our emissions, and construction materials play a big role. Paint may seem small compared to concrete or steel, but multiply it across millions of homes and commercial sites, and the numbers add up.
By supporting brands that publish EPDs and focus on low carbon manufacturing, Aussies can help shift the market. It tells the big manufacturers that transparency and sustainability matter. It also gives professional painters a chance to stand out by offering clients greener choices.
Paint Brands in Australia with EPDs
EPD / Carbon Footprint Data for Paints
Here are some paints + EPD / LCA numbers I found. Units are mostly kg CO₂-eq per m² (for a given coat, coverage rate, etc.), or sometimes product-mass (kg/m²). Always check declared unit / coverage, because differences in coverage / coat thickness / gloss etc change the numbers a lot.
Here are some of the well-known paints available in Australia that have taken steps toward transparency with EPDs:
|
Brand / Product |
Declared Unit / Product-Mass |
GWP (A1-A3) or “Cradle-to-Gate” CO₂-eq |
Notes / Additional Modules or Full Life Cycle Info |
|
Resene X-200 (Exterior, weathertight membrane) |
~0.191 kg paint/m² (product-mass) |
0.23 kg CO₂-eq / m² for A1-A3 (LCMH - Low Carbon Materials Hub) |
It’s a full EPD, valid to 2029. Includes many modules (A1-A3; also A4, A5, C & D) for full life-cycle options. (Resene) |
|
Dulux envirO₂ Interior Low Sheen |
Product-mass ~0.175 kg / m² (LCMH - Low Carbon Materials Hub) |
GWP (A1-A3) approx 0.47 kg CO₂-eq / m² |
Only for interior applications; assumes certain coverage and coat etc. The value is higher than Resene X-200, partly because of different product, surface, or performance requirements. |
|
Various Resene Paints (Waterborne / low sheen etc.) |
Different product-mass / m² depending on product (varied) (LCMH - Low Carbon Materials Hub) |
GWP (A1-A3) ranges approx 0.10 kg CO₂-eq/m² up to ~0.25 kg CO₂-eq/m² for different Resene products like Colorwood, Lustacryl, Sonyx-101, etc. |
These lower numbers are for lighter coats or lower-build products. Good to show comparison. |
Key Takeaways from the Data
- Resene X-200 is quite good: 0.23 kg CO₂-eq per m² for a fairly high-build exterior membrane type coating. That’s a useful benchmark for durable, exterior, high performance paints.
- Dulux envirO₂ Interior Low Sheen is more than double that (≈0.47 kg CO₂-eq/m²) for its declared unit. But it’s interior, low sheen, with different performance demands, so not surprising.
- Lighter paints / finishes (waterborne, low sheen) tend to have lower GWP per m² than heavier, high build, exterior coatings.
How to Choose Low-Carbon Paints
So, how do you know if you’re choosing the right product? Here are some simple tips:
- Look for EPDs: Ask your supplier or painter if the paint has an Environmental Product Declaration.
- Check for Low VOCs: While VOCs are more about indoor air quality, paints that are water-based and low-VOC often also have a smaller carbon footprint.
- Think Long-Term: Durable paints mean fewer repaints, which means less carbon overall.
- Ask Your Painter: Professional painters in Sydney and other cities are increasingly aware of these options. If your painter is part of a network like Painters Link Group, they may already have access to eco-friendly choices.
- Support Local: Choosing paints manufactured locally can cut down transport emissions.
For Professional Painters
If you’re running a painting business, highlighting your use of low-carbon, EPD-backed paints is a powerful selling point. More councils, schools, and commercial clients are demanding proof of sustainability in tenders. Being ready with EPD data can put you ahead of competitors who still only talk about “good quality paint.”
Challenges and Realities
Of course, it’s not always straightforward. EPD paints can cost more. Not every product has an EPD yet. And sometimes the “green” option doesn’t come in the exact colour your client wants. But the trend is clear—this is the direction our industry is heading.
And let’s be honest: no one product is going to fix climate change. But choosing lower-carbon paints is one piece of a bigger puzzle. When combined with energy-efficient lighting, insulation, and smart design, it all adds up.
A Case Study from the Job Site
Not long ago, a homeowner in Parramatta asked for a repaint before putting their house on the market. They wanted a quick, cheap option. But the painter suggested a Dulux range with an EPD. It cost a bit more upfront, but the homeowner loved being able to mention in their listing that the home used low-carbon paint. The house sold above reserve, and the buyer even mentioned the eco-upgrade in their feedback. Sometimes, sustainability pays back in ways you don’t expect.
FAQs about Low Carbon Paints and EPDs
What We Can Do as a Community
Homeowners: Ask for paints with EPDs when you book your next job.
Painters: Educate clients about low-carbon paints, it shows you’re professional and forward-thinking.
Suppliers: Keep pushing for transparency and expand the availability of EPD-certified ranges.
Industry bodies: Promote awareness and reward builders and painters who make greener choices.
Looking Ahead
Australia has the chance to lead in sustainable construction and renovation. By shifting something as everyday as paint, we show that every decision counts. When we support brands that publish EPDs and invest in low-carbon paints, we help move the whole industry toward net zero.
So next time you’re picking a colour for your lounge room, or quoting on a commercial project, stop and ask: What’s the carbon footprint of this paint? It’s a small question that could make a big difference.
