Solvent-based lacquers are still highly popular among carpenters and joiners. Environmental protection and sustainability don’t seem to be sufficient to trigger a widespread rethink. Supposedly it's all too expensive and there’s also the need to change working practices. Let's leave aside the fact that a damaged environment is associated with high costs. Let's just consider the simple commercial level.
How does water-based lacquer compare with solvent-based lacquer on that basis? At first glance it’s bad for the water-based lacquer. The price per litre is mostly higher than for solvent-based lacquer. But is that even the right comparison? No, because we need to consider the cost per coated square metre. The water-based lacquer usually performs better here.
- A single component is used in many cases. No hardener is required.
- The processing viscosity is adjusted using water. There’s also no need for a thinner.
- The solids content is higher, so the application quantities are smaller. There’s an increase in material efficiency.
The raw material markets are crazy at the moment. Unprecedented cost increases and issues with raw material supply make water-based lacquers even more attractive, because it is precisely the solvents that are currently the cost drivers. Anyone with a sharp pencil would therefore find it worth checking right now whether it wouldn’t be better to switch to water-based lacquers. For further practical guidance, we recommend our white paper on the topic of water-based lacquer and our Cool family.