Overview

As the global drive toward carbon neutrality accelerates, the need to accurately assess and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is increasing across all industries, including the construction sector. In line with these growing requirements, the Japan Group has advanced company-wide Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) initiatives, provided external lectures on our LCA efforts, and developed a framework for delivering high-quality environmental information in proposals to our customers. The following highlights several of the initiatives carried out in Japan.

EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) Certification Obtained for Heat-Shielding Roof Coatings Based on Third-Party–Verified LCA Results

WIn 2024, Nippon Paint Co., Ltd., a leading producer of decorative coatings, obtained SuMPO EPD*1 certification, an environmental label*2 that provides third-party verification of product-level LCA results. The certified product, Thermo Eye Si (Cool White), is a heat-shielding roof coating that has already seen broad adoption as an energy-efficient, environmentally conscious solution. This certification marks the industry’s first*3 EPD awarded for a roof coating.

A noteworthy feature of this certification is that Nippon Paint Corporate Solutions played a central role in developing the Product Category Rules (PCR), which define the methodological requirements for conducting the LCA as part of the certification process. Following a review of these calculation rules, we obtained EPD certification based on the finalized PCR. This certification has enabled us to establish a framework capable of carrying out precise and timely calculations in accordance with the PCR. Looking ahead, the application of these rules will allow us to quantify emissions not only for this product but also for other product lines, thereby making a meaningful contribution to our customers’ GHG management efforts.

LCA-Based Proposals for Reducing Environmental Impact in Industrial Coatings

Nippon Paint Industrial Coatings, a leading manufacturer in the industrial coatings sector, is advancing proposals for products and equipment that support the reduction of GHG emissions during the product use phase. In particular, to mitigate emissions generated during the drying process, a major contributor to overall GHG output within the coating application cycle, we provide solutions such as low-temperature-curing coatings and technologies that enable effective utilization of waste heat. Supported by scientifically rigorous LCA data, these offerings are designed to achieve both GHG reduction and cost efficiency.

In the LCA process, we monitor the material and energy flows associated with the processes under evaluation. This methodology enables visualization of current operations not only from an environmental standpoint but also in terms of economic performance. The Nippon Paint Group applies this dual perspective in its business activities, utilizing LCA to drive reductions in both environmental impact and cost, while delivering customer proposals that clearly reflect these combined advantages.

*1 Certification was obtained under the former product name “ECOLEAF”
*2 Based on ISO 14025, the international standard governing environmental labels and declarations, and related standards
*3 Source: SuMPO EPD database