Sustainable Polymer Coatings: Eco-Friendly Materials and Green Processing Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

The global coatings industry stands at a critical juncture, facing increasing regulatory pressure and societal demand to mitigate the environmental footprint of its products and processes. Conventional polymer coatings, often derived from petrochemical resources and reliant on solvent-borne formulations, pose significant challenges due to VOC emissions, energy-intensive production, and end-of-life waste. This Special Issue of Coatings, titled “Sustainable Polymer Coatings: Eco-Friendly Materials and Green Processing Technologies,” is dedicated to championing the scientific innovation necessary for a greener paradigm. It seeks to compile cutting-edge research that redefines polymer coatings through the dual lenses of sustainable material sources and environmentally benign manufacturing.

A primary focus of this issue is on the design and synthesis of novel, eco-friendly polymer matrices. We encourage submissions exploring advanced bio-based polymers, such as those derived from polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and polyesters, like polylactic acid (PLA). Research on polymers from waste streams, CO₂ utilization, and the development of high-performance waterborne resins is also highly relevant. The objective is to move beyond mere feedstock substitution and achieve materials with tailored properties—superior adhesion, corrosion resistance, mechanical robustness, and functional smart characteristics—that rival or exceed their conventional counterparts.

Equally important is the advancement of green processing and application technologies. This includes innovations in low-energy curing methods like UV-LED and electron-beam, the optimization of powder coating and high-solid formulations, and novel deposition techniques such as supercritical CO₂ spraying. We are also interested in life-cycle assessment (LCA) studies that quantitatively validate the environmental benefits of these new materials and processes, providing a holistic view of their sustainability from cradle to grave.

By bringing together contributions on these interconnected themes, this Special Issue aims to serve as a comprehensive reference and a catalyst for future development. We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and insightful perspectives that address the multifaceted challenge of creating high-performance, economically viable, and truly sustainable polymer coating solutions for a wide range of industrial applications.

Dr. Yu Tan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Coatings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.