Jotun will phase out lead chromates, a toxic chemical compound, from all its paints and coatings formulations worldwide, the company says.

It said in a statement that the move is consistent with its current environmental initiative, ‘Jotun GreenSteps’ and is scheduled to start in 2014 when Jotun will apply new EU Reach (registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals) regulations. “This initiative reflects continues commitment from Jotun Paints towards greener environment following the boycott of coal tar from their products globally last year,” the statement said.

Jens Christoffer Markmanrud, project manager, Jotun, explained that lead chromates are still legal in many markets where the company is active. “This global phase out applies to paints and coatings in all segments, worldwide. It is a bold step, but we are confident that by replacing lead chromates with safer, high-performing alternatives, we can make a big difference,” he said.

Markmanrud said the phase out supports Jotun GreenSteps launched in 2011 to improve Jotun’s environmental performance over a broad range of areas, which includes hazardous materials, carbon footprint, VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions, energy consumption and waste recycling. “Jotun GreenSteps also broadcasts the work that the company does in order to develop safer, more effective paint and coating solutions that help customers improve their environmental performance.”

In addition to investing more resources in R&D to produce safer, more environmentally responsible products, Jotun is exploring new ways of managing pigments and colours to achieve better results. By combining primer colours and topcoat colours, Jotun can offer a superior finish compared to less advanced alternatives. The global phase out of lead chromates is an important step in strengthening Jotun’s reputation as an environmentally responsible company, it says.

David Wright, managing director for Jotun Saudi Arabia, highlighted Jotun’s commitment to being an environmentally responsible company. “The move to phase out lead chromates is a landmark one as it seeks to stop the use of a toxic compound and replace it with a component that is safer to use but with the same, albeit, even more benefits to be gained,” he said.