Noru Paint Achieves First USDA Certification in Korea for Two Types of Bio Paint

Expanding the Use of Bio-Paint to Contribute to Carbon Reduction, Additional Development of ESG-Related Bio Coating Products

Noru Paint Obtains USDA Certification for Two Bio Paints: 'Pantone Wood & Metal' and 'Eco Bio Urethane Lining'
[Photo by Noru Paint]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Noroo Paint Research Institute announced on the 17th that two types of biomass-based bio-coatings for construction paint (Pantone Wood & Metal, Eco Bio Urethane Lining) have become the first domestic paint products to obtain the environmentally friendly certification 'USDA Certified Biobased' (hereafter USDA), issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, which is known for its stringent standards.

This certification is operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to encourage the use of natural raw materials derived from agricultural, fishery, and livestock products instead of petroleum-based petrochemical raw materials in industrial products sold in the U.S., aiming to reduce fossil fuel use for sustainable development and environmental protection. It designates a minimum usage rate of natural raw materials by product category and guarantees compliance through document review and product testing by the U.S. government.

To receive the biomass-based certification (USDA), the product must be made from bio-based materials and contain a bio-carbon content exceeding the standard for its product category. The two products that obtained USDA certification this time, ‘Pantone Wood & Metal’ and ‘Eco Bio Urethane Lining,’ were certified with bio-carbon contents of 43% and 48%, respectively, which are higher than the required standards.

Bio-based coatings refer to paints manufactured using biological resources extracted from biomass, which broadly includes renewable organic materials generated from all industrial activities (such as sawdust, rice straw, and by-products from agriculture, forestry, and livestock) and plant resources produced through photosynthesis. The advantage of these coatings is that they use bio raw materials extracted from biological sources, reducing petroleum-based carbon and contributing to carbon neutrality.

Currently, Noroo Paint is developing eco-friendly coatings applying biomass raw materials for automotive interiors, furniture and home appliances, and mobile coatings to achieve carbon neutrality. They plan to secure certifications such as the U.S. USDA and UL’s ECV (Environmental Claim Validation) by the end of this year. Demand for these products is expected to surge in related markets as the importance of carbon neutrality and ESG management grows.

In the case of Pantone Wood & Metal, which recently obtained USDA certification, it can be used not only for interior doors and window frames in new apartment construction and repainting but also for painting steel and wood parts of outdoor children’s playground equipment.

A Noroo Paint official stated, "As the importance of carbon neutrality and ESG management increases, demand for bio-paints is expected to surge in various markets," adding, "As the first domestic company to receive USDA certification as a result of our ESG management system’s E (environment) research, we will expand the range of developed products and take the lead in revitalizing bio-coatings."