Blog - Addressing claims about the contribution of paint to microplastics pollution

A recent newspaper article in a UK tabloid newspaper referenced paints and coatings as the main source of global microplastics pollution, despite a broader swathe of reports indicating this is not the case. This blog looks to review the evidence around this important topic and supplies some examples of how industry is addressing its actual contribution to the microplastics problem.

When press reports cite paint as the number one source of microplastics pollution, they are usually quoting from a non-peer-reviewed Earth Action (EA) report – data from which has also been used by the European Commission - which puts the total at a much higher level than the other academic papers. Indeed, the EA authors themselves admit their report is an outlier in terms of its conclusions in positioning the size of the impact of paint compared to other sources of microplastics. 

In October 2024,  the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment published a report that examined the sources of microplastic emissions in the environment. The report explicitly refutes the claims that paints are the main source of microplastics in the environment. The main sources of microplastics cited were tyre wear, pre-production plastic pellets, macroplastics, packaging, and textiles. Indeed, it says of the EA report that:

“Even though these emission estimates are relatively high, paint is not the largest source of microplastics, as was reported by the recent impact assessment study by the European Commission.’ (para 3.3 p50).

However, it is also fair to note that same Dutch report goes onto say:

‘Not many other studies have reported on paint so far, and it is recommended to look further into the release due to wear and maintenance in order to better understand paint microplastic distribution in air, soil and water.’ (para 3.3 p50).

The BCF agrees that more research is needed to accurately quantify the contribution of paint to microplastic pollution, and there is a role for industry to play in sponsoring that research.   

This was also the conclusion of the World Coatings Council’s literature review on 36 documents on paint and coatings-related microplastics.  What was consistent about the vast majority of reports reviewed was that they employ a range of different assumptions and methodologies regarding paint degradation and removal practices and are not based on scientific research. You can read the WCC review here.

What is industry doing to address the microplastics issue?

Even if paint is not the number one cause of microplastic pollution, the coatings industry recognises there is always more that can be done to reduce its actual contribution. Paint manufacturers are committed to continuous improvement in the sustainability of its products. Large sums are invested every year to carry out research and development into more environmentally friendly ingredients or to ensure enhanced wear resistance to reduce the amount of degradation from coated surfaces. 

We acknowledge that it is inevitable that the wear and tear of paints – from ships and boats, bridges, exterior building paints and road marking paints – could lead to some leaching of these chipped or degraded paints into the environment. This is known as ‘secondary’ microplastic release. 

To help limit the impact of secondary microplastics,  the BCF leads on several industry-led initiatives and campaigns to help consumers and tradespeople dispose of paint appropriately. For example, the BCF has produced a video guide with suggestions of how to reduce the loss of paint from cleaning brushes and rollers. It also runs a Safe Antifouling campaign in collaboration with Green Blue, the Royal Yachting Association, British Marine and the Yacht Harbour Association. 'Protect, Collect & Dispose,' is focused on environmental best practice when boat owners antifouling their own boats. You can learn more about safe antifouling here.

Do the paint industry intentionally add microplastics to paint?

Most paints do not include intentionally added microplastics in their formulas. It is usually only in cases where specialist characteristics are required from an industrial coating - for example to provide greater durability and scratch resistance, or create anti-slip or skid properties – that microplastics would be intentionally added. This represents a very small amount of paint produced globally.

Positive benefits of coatings to the environment

Finally, it is worth noting that coatings themselves offer a substantial contribution to greater worldwide sustainability. Paints, coatings and printing inks play a fundamental role in saving resources: they have a huge range of integral sustainable applications, including improving the longevity of buildings and bridges and extending the life of essential items like food or drink. 

But it goes beyond that. Coatings technology is increasingly at the cutting edge of sustainable innovation, pioneering the creation of some of the products that enable and support our national journey to reaching Net Zero. They are used to coat wind turbines and solar panels as well as used in the advanced batteries the automotive industry is relying on in the future. 
 
Crucially, coatings also contribute to energy conservation directly through, for instance, reflective technologies for buildings. On vehicles, the more lightweight the coatings, the less energy consumption is required. In the case of marine paints, without anti-fouling coatings keeping hulls clear of barnacles and other debris, the world’s shipping fleet would use 40% more fuel.  On top of this, anti-fouling coatings also stop the spread of invasive species between our oceans. You can read more about these essential uses of coatings in the BCF report here.