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Many architects and developers are adopting sustainable design practices to meet environmental regulations. However, these can be challenging to implement. The Environmental Protection Agency defines sustainable design as “the practice of creating structures that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life cycle.”
This cycle extends beyond construction to include siting, design, operation, maintenance and renovation. Materials like FEVE-based sustainable coatings extend building longevity, which improves sustainability. These coatings reduce waste, energy and emissions released throughout the building life cycle, from construction to maintenance.
What Are Sustainable Coatings?
Sustainable coatings reduce the environmental footprint of buildings and structures. They protect buildings from corrosive elements, extending their maintenance intervals. As a result, these coatings reduce waste, energy and emissions over time. Sustainable coatings are often formulated to ensure:
- Low volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Over time, these harmful compounds build up in the environment, causing health issues such as cancer, liver and kidney damage. Sustainable coatings such as FEVE-based powder systems eliminate VOCs and reduce health risks.
- Efficient curing process: Sustainable coatings can often be cured at low temperatures without solvents, saving energy and reducing emissions.
- Long-lasting durability:Durable coatings require less maintenance, minimizing material waste over time.
How FEVE Coatings Help Buildings Qualify for LEED v4 Credits
Selecting the right sustainable coating can help developers qualify for environmental incentives, such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. LEED is a widely recognized green building rating system that evaluates sustainable design projects.
Coatings based on fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE) resins deliver high performance and long-term sustainability. These advanced coatings help support LEED v4 credit eligibility across multiple categories:
Sustainable Sites
The Sustainable Sites category evaluates a project’s impact on the natural environment. Emulsion-based FEVE coatings improve the quality of stormwater runoff by isolating substrates. Clear FEVE topcoats also maintain solar reflectivity to reduce heat island effects. These qualities contribute to the Stormwater Design Quality Control and Heat Island Effect credits.
Energy and Atmosphere
Facades and roofs treated with FEVE coatings maintain their envelope performance. The coatings reduce heat transfer, retaining heat inside of the building. As a result, they lower cooling loads and energy consumption over time.
Materials and Resources
FEVE coatings have an extended service life compared to conventional coatings. They require less frequent recoating and maintenance, reducing material use throughout the building life cycle. Their longevity and minimized waste contribute to LEED credits.
Achieve Sustainable Design With LUMIFLON® FEVE Resins
AGC’s LUMIFLON® FEVE resins are used in architectural coatings to reduce costs, enhance performance and improve sustainability. LUMIFLON-based coatings protect critical building materials – including steel, aluminum and fiberglass – from the corrosive effects of wind, rain and sunlight. They maintain their color and gloss for more than 35 years, reducing maintenance and material costs.
LUMIFLON resins are available as solvent-based, water-based and high-solid systems to meet a variety of applications. They contain minimal VOCs and zero hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), enabling the production of durable, environmentally friendly coatings.
Key Advantages of LUMIFLON-Based Coatings
LUMIFLON-based coatings provide a variety of performance and cost-saving benefits, including:
- Fewer recoats: These durable coatings last between 30 and 60 years. They require fewer repaints than standard systems, reducing material and labor costs over time.
- Cost savings: FEVE coatings reduce material, labor and downtime costs by 30-40% over 50 years.
- High efficiency: FEVE powder coatings cure at 30-50 °C lower temperatures than other systems, reducing energy use.
- Durable protection: LUMIFLON-based coatings retain their color and gloss for up to 60 years. They also maintain their performance in harsh environments, protecting critical structures from corrosion.
Projects Awarded LEED Status with LUMIFLON Coatings
Many leading projects that use LUMIFLON FEVE coatings have achieved LEED status. These sustainable coatings improve durability, reduce waste and increase efficiency across building life cycles, contributing to LEED credits.
San Diego International Airport
Terminal 2 at the San Diego International Airport was the first commercial terminal awarded LEED Platinum status in the United States. The exterior steel was finished with the Tnemec Series 1071V Fluoronar containing LUMIFLON FEVE.
Salt Lake City Public Safety Building
The sustainable design of this building achieved LEED Platinum and net-zero energy status. Its panels were finished with Valspar Valflon using LUMIFLON FEVE, which improved their durability and sustainability.
Portland Japanese Garden
The Cultural Crossing, an expansion of the Portland Japanese Garden, was awarded LEED Gold. The buildings contain Custom Pure + Freeform aluminum panels treated with an 8-coat LUMIFLON system, which provides aesthetic appeal and weatherability.
Get Started with Sustainable FEVE-Based Coatings
AGC works closely with coating formulators to find the best LUMIFLON grade for each project. Whether the goal is to meet sustainability standards, reduce costs or improve weatherability, our experts can help you ensure optimal results. Contact us to learn how LUMIFLON FEVE resins can enhance your formulation. For industrial woven and nonwoven products where durability, performance, and sustainability are vital, FibraLAST polymeric coatings are a game-changer. By delivering superior oil and water repellency, they help materials stay cleaner, last longer, and perform reliably under demanding conditions.
