The cleaner, the greener? Product sustainability assessment of the biomimetic façade paint Lotusan(®) in comparison to the conventional façade paint Jumbosil(®)

Background: The debate on the question whether biomimetics has a specific potential to contribute to sustainability is discussed among scientists, business leaders, politicians and those responsible for project funding. The objective of this paper is to contribute to this controversial debate by presenting the sustainability assessment of one of the most well-known and most successful biomimetic products: the façade paint Lotusan(®). Results: As a first step it has been examined and verified that the façade paint Lotusan(®) is correctly defined as a biomimetic product. Secondly, Lotusan(®) has been assessed and compared to a conventional façade paint within the course of a detailed product sustainability assessment (PROSA). For purposes of comparison, the façade paint Jumbosil(®) was chosen as reference for a conventional paint available on the market. The benefit analysis showed that both paints fulfil equally well the requirements of functional utility. With respect to the symbolic utility, Lotusan(®) has a particular added aesthetic value by the preservation of the optical quality over the life cycle. Within the social analysis no substantial differences between the two paints could be found regarding the handling and disposal of the final products. Regarding the life-cycle cost, Lotusan(®) is the more expensive product. However, the higher investment cost for a Lotusan(®)-based façade painting are more than compensated by the longer life time, resulting in both reduced overall material demand and lower labour cost. In terms of the life-cycle impact assessment, it can be ascertained that substantial differences between the paints arise from the respective service life, which are presented in terms of four scenario analyses. Conclusion: In summary, the biomimetic façade paint Lotusan(®) has been identified as a cost-effective and at the same time resource-saving product. Based on the underlying data and assumptions it could be demonstrated that Lotusan(®)-based façade paintings have a comparatively low overall impact on the environment. Summarizing our results, it can be emphasized that Lotusan(®) is the more favourable product compared to Jumbosil(®) according to sustainability aspects.