What is Airlite?

Airlite is an innovative and environmentally friendly paint that actively purifies the air. Airlite copies nature to break down pollutants, acting as a catalyst, rather than absorbing or filtering them out.

• Actively breaks down NO2 to purify the air by reducing pollution and toxins.
• Naturally antimicrobial, killing bacteria on the surface and degrading viral
• proteins.
• Although not tested against COVID-19 yet, independent studies show that Airlite’s technology ‘could be used to inactivate the influenza virus’ (Nakano et al, 2012).
• Low CO2 footprint; between 62% and 76% lower than that of conventional paint.
• Prohibits mould growth, thereby reducing airborne spores and allergens.
• Contains no VOCs (respirable irritants).
• No hazardous or flammable waste.
• Breaks down smells.
• Certified Cradle to Cradle Gold, aligned to the circular economy, manufactured using 40% recycled materials in a factory powered entirely by renewable energy.
• Contributes to all major certification schemes, such as BREEAM, LEED and WELL.

Health Safety and Wellbeing

• In addition to the improvement of air quality, other impacts on health, safety and wellbeing were also appraised.
• Reducing VOCs has a direct beneficial impact on the health and safety of painters and contractors present at the time of painting (VOCs are linked to respiratory disease).
  It also impacts occupants after the paint has been applied.
• Contractors noted that working with Airlite significantly reduced smell and left them feeling ‘clearer headed’. All painters enjoyed working with Airlite.
• Due to the lack of VOCs and smell, Airlite can be applied whilst buildings are occupied with doors and windows closed. This impacts customer satisfaction (the smell of paint is a common cause for complaints across the industry) as well as potential costs, with reduced downtime and painting not limited to out-of-hours works.
• Airlite has been independently tested at the below institutions to confirm it eliminates up to 99.9% of bacteria from any surface.
• Testing conducted at: University of Rome, La Sapienza (IT) and EMSL Analytical Inc, Houston (US).

Key Points

• Switching from traditional paints to Airlite supported both Bouygues and the client towards their sustainability, environmental, innovation, air quality and employee health and wellbeing goals.
• Testing air quality requires results to be gathered over time, rather than a simple spot test. To gain meaningful insight to the effectiveness of Airlite, over 86,000 readings were taken over a period of one month.
• NO2 concentration was 96% less in the classroom painted with Airlite. Independent tests showed Airlite reduces NO2 levels by up to 88.8%after 60 minutes.
• Airlite’s environmental credentials are unparalleled in paint. VOC
  free, powder based and made
  with recycled raw materials, Airlite significantly reduces the CO2 footprint, VOCs and waste.
• In addition to removing VOCs, Airlite is naturally antimicrobial and has been proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria. As with the air purifying qualities, this property will not expire or reduce over time.

Conclusion

• Changing from a conventional paint to Airlite offered substantial environmental and sustainability benefits to both Bouygues and our client.
• Airlite transformed surfaces into active air purifiers, naturalising pollutants and killing bacteria for the lifetime of the application (up to 10 years). This will have a beneficial impact on our workforce and building occupants for years to come.
• Airlite is priced as a premium/eco paint, however offers additional benefits usually only associated with more costly and time consuming alternatives.
• The trial confirms Airlite is a suitable alternative to conventional paint and offers significant benefits to both Bouygues and our clients.