This FAQ section has been created from REAL QUESTIONS from our customers and partners in more than 35 different countries. Click on the header text to expand or collapse the answers. If you want more information, you can use any of our contact forms or our social networks.
Carbon Dioxide or CO2 can occur naturally and exists as a trace gas in the earth’s atmosphere. Today, increased reliance on fossil fuels has heralded unprecedented increases of CO2 emissions.
Supportive evidence has noted the concentration of CO2 has risen significantly due to human activities since the industrial revolution. Reliance on fossil fuels, deforestation, and biomass burning have all had an impact; increasing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing global temperatures by approximately 1°C since the 1950’s. It is estimated that approximately half of the CO2 released from the burning of fossil fuels remain in the atmosphere and is not absorbed by vegetation or the oceans.
At Graphenstone®, we are committed to producing a range of paints which are low in toxicity and almost completely free from the reliance of synthetic polymers. Coatings that provide functionality and give back to the Earth and its inhabitants.
Plastic paints are produced with resins that are typically formulated with petroleum based, water soluble resins or plastics. During application and drying, these paints produce VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) some of which are potentially carcinogenic substances. In addition, plastic paints are membranes and not very permeable, which can lead to the promotion of condensation and potentially, mould.
At Graphenstone®, we formulate our products on natural, sustainable resources such as graphene, mineral silicates and lime. They are natural and organic raw materials, free of VOCs and formaldehyde, breathable and with a high pH, lime can reduce the appearance of mould and fungus naturally, without the need for harmful additives.
100% acrylic paints, synthetic paints or otherwise known as plastic paints are produced with resins that are typically formulated with petroleum based, water soluble resins or plastics. During application and drying, these paints produce VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) some of which are potentially carcinogenic substances.
Graphenstone® differs from synthetic paints in several ways:
1. Little if any synthetic polymers or plastic resins are used as the coating’s support structure.
2. Utilises graphene to provide strength, flexibility, durability and performance.
3. Ultra low Volatile Organic Compounds and no harmful chemicals.
4. Passive functionality - depending on the Graphenstone® system, our paints offer breathability, carbon dioxide or formaldehyde absorption.
5. High purity lime offers high solar reflectance and thermal reflectance
6. Natural mineral base provides fire resistance.
7. Breathability to the substrate to reduce or eliminate moisture entrapment and the potential of longer term issues such as bacteria, mould or fungi propagation.
8. Naturally prevents bacteria, mould and fungi and aids in reducing allergies and respiratory conditions.
The lime used in our paints and coatings is produced in millennial wood ovens, avoiding the burning of fuels and other chemicals. In addition, we do not add products that alter their properties, such as their purity and high whiteness.
Some other lime based paints use synthetic polymers as the binder or the support structure, whereas Graphenstone® uses graphene technology to bind our products providing a sustainable, unique and innovative performance solution in the market.
The lime used in Graphenstone® products is obtained in millenary wood-burning ovens of Arab origin following the traditional method of extraction that gives it exceptional purity and whiteness. This handmade lime is manufactured since the midnineteenth century.
Its cycle is a 100% natural process, from the wood used to feed the oven, through the firing of the limestone, until the final product obtained.
Graphene is considered the gold of the future with potentially limitless applications. This material, composed of pure carbon, is 200 times stronger than structural steel 1,000 times more conductive than copper, offers 20% more flexibility and is not a synthetic or plastic polymer.
Graphene is currently it is being applied in different fields, such as electronics, medicine and, in our case a word first in paints.
Traditional lime and mineral based paints provide good environmental benefits at the expense of poor strength, poor durability and resistance to cracking.
These facts make it clear that natural lime and mineral based products require an additive to provide strength. Rather than synthetic binders to provide support we use Graphene to acts as a structural support or binder at the molecular level. Thanks to graphene we obtain a natural product that are:
Washable: natural paints cannot be washed.
Flexible: will not crack, and it is possible for the first time, to use a roller for natural paints without a synthetic resin, making easy to apply.
Improves adhesion on many substrates: physical-chemical adhesion improves performance, durability and application.
Thermal conductivity: it minimizes the thermal gradient and is more stable under extreme climatic conditions
Lime and mineral based paints have been widely used in the past for interior and exterior wall decoration. After the development of synthetic paints, lime and mineral based paints were replaced with synthetics, which offered significant application and performance benefits.
Adding graphene to our formula, has improved the properties of lime, increasing its durability and performance. This is why Graphenstone® offers a product guarantee of 5 years *.
*Applied by official Graphenstone® applicators and according to Technical Department guidelines.
Graphenstone® Biosphere and Graphenstone® Ecosphere paints are manufactured with the highest purity artisanal calcium hydroxide or hydrated lime. As you apply Biosphere or Ecosphere, the coating dries and a reaction takes place;
Calcium, water and carbon dioxide (CO2) react or “carbonate.” This reaction turns the calcium hydroxide into calcium carbonate, otherwise known and lime stone, ultimately locking in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Once this reaction has taken place, the captured CO2 cannot be released back into the environment.
Extensive independent testing has concluded just 45 litres of Graphenstone® Biosphere or Graphenstone® Ecosphere will absorb as much CO2 as an adult 250kg tree will absorb in 12 months.
Yes! The importance of our environment and the health of people who live within it are the fundamental principals in the formulation of our products. Our products are formulated with natural elements and do not contain toxic substances or odours.
Our paints and coatings have a series of certifications and endorsements such as; C2C Health GOLD, GreenTag Health GOLD, Asthma Australia and Sensitive Choice.
Graphenstone® Biosphere and Ecosphere are especially suitable for people suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergy and chemical intolerances.
In addition to contributing to atmospheric decontamination, thanks to the absorption of CO2, Graphenstone® has a range of other products available;
Graphenstone® Atmosphere Interior offers formaldehyde absorption. Active ingredients within this product will absorb and convert formaldehyde from furniture, carpets and other building elements into an inert vapour, in order to reduce issues associated with sick building syndrome.
We also have photocatalytic paint, AmbientPro + Premium, which decomposes organic compounds and inorganic gases, eliminating air pollution.
Proshield Premium is a conductive paint for protection against high and low frequency radiation from the likes of smart meters. Ideal homes, schools and commercial environments without heavy metals.
Graphenstone® lime based products are energy efficient due to its Solar Reflectance Index (SRI). SRI is a measure of the constructed surface’s ability to stay cool in the sun by reflecting solar radiation (ability of a material to reflect solar energy from its surface back into the atmosphere) and emitting thermal radiation (ability of a material to release absorbed energy). SRI = 0 is defined as standard black surface and SRI = 100 is defined as a standard white surface.
Biosphere Exterior has SRI = 100 (solar reflectance 82.2%, thermal emittance 79%). This property is directly attributed to the high quality of our lime (crystal structure without impurities). Please, find the full test report in the following link: Biosphere Report
Watch vídeo