A supermarket in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands, now features Sikkens Alpha Recycle Mat, a wall paint that contains recycled paint waste. During the renovation of a Dirk van den Broek store, painting contractor Van Kesteren spray-applied approximately 800 litres of the coating to walls and ceilings.

Van Kesteren developed the project together with Dirk van den Broek and AkzoNobel. As a result, the partners demonstrated how paint residues can return to the production cycle instead of becoming waste. The project also shows how recycled materials can be used in commercial interior renovations.

Turning Paint Waste into a New Coating

Van Kesteren collects leftover paint from customers and construction projects. Next, recycling company InterCheM processes the paint residues into a secondary raw material. AkzoNobel then uses this material to manufacture Sikkens Alpha Recycle Mat.

This process gives paint residues a second application instead of sending them for disposal. In Vlaardingen, the contractor spray-applied the recycled-content paint throughout the supermarket. Consequently, the project demonstrates the material’s suitability for large-scale refurbishment projects.

Supporting Circular Renovation

The project reflects the growing use of circular materials in the construction and renovation sector. At the same time, sustainability criteria play an increasingly important role in procurement decisions. In addition, many organisations now prepare for reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Dirk van den Broek continues to implement sustainability measures across its stores. These measures focus on reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. The use of recycled-content paint supports these wider environmental objectives.

35% Recycled Paint Content

Sikkens Alpha Recycle Mat contains 35% recycled wall paint. The recycled content replaces part of the virgin raw materials with recovered paint residues. According to AkzoNobel, the coating also achieves an IAQ A+ indoor air quality rating. This is the highest classification under the French indoor air emissions label.

Overall, the project illustrates how manufacturers and contractors can return paint waste to the production cycle. In doing so, they extend the use of existing material resources and reduce the demand for virgin raw materials.

Source: Van Kesteren Schilders
Photo: Roger Brown