Expert decorators have been busy trialling a sustainable reformulation with their feedback used to make further improvements
Dulux Trade Diamond Matt paint has been reformulated in line with client feedback to offer durability, helping the industry move towards a more sustainable future.
The manufacturer aims to provide architects and specifiers with confidence that the updated product will provide their clients with quality results for years to come.
Dulux Trade Diamond Matt delivers ultimate durability. It is compliant with BS EN ISO 11998 Class 1 and BS 7719 Class C and can withstand 10,000 scrubs (the equivalent of five hours non-stop scrubbing). This means it will stay looking newer and fresher for longer.
With 71 per cent of professional decorators saying their clients now regularly request sustainable paint options, Dulux Trade has reformulated Diamond Matt so that it is 99.9 per cent VOC free based on in-can VOC content, measured in accordance with ISO 11890-2:2013.
This has lowered its impact on indoor air quality and the carbon footprint of a project when compared with the previous Diamond Matt formulation.
To showcase its commitment to quality, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt now comes with a ‘Tested and Approved by Professional Decorators’ seal of approval.
This showcases the rigorous three-stage testing process carried out by experienced professional decorators to ensure Dulux Trade Diamond Matt delivers on durability, as well as improved opacity and sustainability.
A durable paint for the modern world
Dulux Trade Diamond Matt’s compliance with EN ISO 11998 Class 1 and BS 7719 Class C, and its capacity to withstand 10,000 scrubs, mean it can be repeatedly cleaned, ensuring that unwanted stains can be easily removed without damaging the paint film on the wall and making the professional finish last even longer.
Dulux Trade Diamond Matt already contained a hydrophobic surface that repelled water-based stains such as red wine and coffee.
Thanks to new binder technology in the upgraded formulation, the product now has resistance to oil-based stains too, such as food or cosmetics.
The technology helps to stop stains from being absorbed by the surface and makes them easier for the end user to remove.
This was meticulously tested by the Dulux Trade Research and Development team in the lab, using substrates painted with white Dulux Trade Diamond Matt and measuring the whiteness of the paint before and after the food and cosmetics had been applied and wiped away.
To improve the opacity of Dulux Trade Diamond Matt, more titanium oxide has been added to the formulation. On top of this, adjustments to the balance of raw materials in the mix to reduce roller mottle have improved the smoothness of the finish.
The journey to 99.9 per cent VOC-free
The previous Dulux Trade Diamond Matt included semi-VOCs to form a strong film and offer quick drying times at a range of temperatures.
However, the upgraded product uses an innovative binder technology that forms a film even at very low temperatures, without the addition of semi-VOCs.
The paint also includes a new latex that doesn’t require coalescing solvents and has switched to completely VOC-free versions of additives. As a result, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt is now proudly 99.9 per cent VOC-free.
Thanks to these updates, this water-based paint delivers quick drying times, helping professionals work quickly and efficiently - but with added sustainability benefits.
‘The fact that Dulux Trade Diamond Matt is compliant with BREEAM, LEED and WELL environmental standards, is 99.9 per cent VOC free and long-lasting means it’s the clear sustainable choice for a diverse range of projects,' says Peter Rhodes, national sector manager for building design at AkzoNobel.
'We’re confident these enhancements will reassure architects and specifiers that Dulux Trade Diamond Matt should be the go-to durable, sustainable paint option that will provide winning results for their clients.’
Reducing waste
Waste is another issue in the construction and decorating sector, with commercial and industrial waste accounting for around 33.8 million tons of waste in England in 2020.
Dulux Decorator Centre aims to tackle this by offering a can recycling service to help professional decorators reduce the impact of paints and coatings after use.
It accepts a wide range of dry or empty metal or plastic paint cans, as well as those that have contained emulsions, gloss paints, undercoats and primers, floor paints, exterior and masonry paints - and those that have contained water-based or solvent-based products.
Plastic cans are shredded, washed and sent back into the plastics market, while metal is remelted into new steel and returned to the general market.
Since its introduction, over one million empty paint cans have been recycled. Decorators are also encouraged to donate unused paint to Community RePaint, a reuse network sponsored by Dulux.
'Tested & Approved by Professional Decorators'
As well stringent tests in the lab, Dulux Trade ensures its paints undergo rigorous evaluation from professional decorators in external conditions.
‘Our process is designed to truly put products to the test,' says Hannah Beeke, R&D team leader at AkzoNobel. 'We do this by working closely with experienced professionals and expert decorators to trial the new Dulux Trade Diamond Matt and used their feedback to make further improvements to the formula.
'We then took the range into field trials where it was tested under external conditions - enabling us to see how it will perform for our wider customer base. This rigorous process means that we are confident the new Dulux Trade Diamond Matt range is the best it can be and will genuinely deliver the durability and sustainability benefits professionals are looking for.’
For more information and technical support visit duluxtrade.co.uk/diamondmatt or duluxtrade.co.uk/testedandapproved
Contact:
0333 222 7070
duluxtrade.advice@akzonobel.com