Life Alfio
For sustainable future
Alina Life Formulations in Open-Source Platform
Implementation time: 01/07/2018 – 31/10/2024 (extended) LIFE17 ENV/LV/000318
LIFE ALFIO: the overall objective of this project is to reduce the impact of toxic chemicals on the environment and human health by reducing toxic biocides and VOCs in paint and coating formulations with a safe, sustainable and novel organoclay-based material.
About project
The project team will provide a set of tools for the paint and coating industry to substitute toxic chemicals with safer and greener material. The novel approach of public online platform, where paint formulations are published, providing the ability for the industry and the stakeholders to trace components, will increase knowledge and facilitate transparency in product value chains.
Project partners
Project funders
Target No. 1
Paint formulations
To pilot the use of organoclay component in 16 eco-friendly, reduced VOC and biocide free paint and coating formulations as a transferable solution for paint and coating industry. Respecting the EU targets for reduction of VOCs, all formulations will be Ecolabel compliant, reducing the use of VOCs from 50 to 10 g/L.
Target No. 2
Organoclay production
To pilot the organoclay production technology by creating a prototype for manufacturing the product with the industrial capacity. The aim is being able to produce sufficient organoclay - at least 120 t/year - for the industrial production of paints and coatings as soon as companies start using new formulations.
Target No. 3
Public access platform www.paintsforlife.eu
To promote and to make easily transferable options for diminishing VOCs and biocides by developing an online platform for: 1) paint formulation publishing; 2) transparency and traceability of paint and coating components; 3) industry communication.
16 validated low-VOC, non-biocidal paint and coating formulations were developed and made available for replication and further use by industry
The project produced 16,000 litres of pilot paints and coatings across 16 pilot batches of 1,000 L eac
More than 10.4 tonnes of ALINA organoclay were produced on the pilot-scale LIFE prototype in Latvia
LIFE-ALFIO directly reached more than 500 companies across the paint, binder and related supply chains through testing, sampling, events and technical follow-up
The project achieved approximately 403,300 gross media and online exposures, substantially exceeding the original communication target
The paintsforlife.eu platform attracted about 40,000 active users and generated more than 275,000 interactions between 2020 and 2025
Activities
A. Preparatory actions.
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A1 Selection and assessment of biocide-free and low-VOC alternatives
Action completed.
This action focused on the identification, selection, and assessment of suitable biocide-free and low-VOC alternatives for the development of more sustainable paint and coating formulations. The work provided the scientific and technical basis for further formulation development by evaluating potential raw materials, functional performance aspects, and applicability within the project concept.The results of this action supported the next stages of the project by helping to define the most promising technical directions for formulation development and validation. The work carried out under this action contributed directly to the establishment of the project’s technical foundation and the selection of feasible alternatives for further development and testing.
The public Conclusion Report (Action A1.1) is available on the website’s Public Deliverables page.
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A2 Development and validation framework for approved formulations
Action completed.
This action focused on the preparation of the technical framework required for the approval, documentation, and validation of the developed formulations. It included the preparation of technical specifications for the approved formulations as well as the development of validation guidelines to support consistent testing, assessment, and further use of the formulations within the project and beyond.The outputs of this action played an important role in ensuring that the developed solutions were documented in a structured and technically relevant way, supporting their credibility, comparability, and future usability. These materials also contributed to the transferability and communication of the project results to relevant professional audiences.
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A3 Environment permissions.
Action is completed. The company where the project rents premises for the needs of the project prototype has received a renewed permit for category B polluting activities and LIFE-ALFIO will start organic production.
B. Implementation actions.
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B1 Development and documentation of approved formulations
Action completed.
This action focused on the development, optimisation, approval, and documentation of the project’s paint and coating formulations. During the project, 16 formulations compliant with the targeted performance and sustainability objectives were developed and documented. The work included formulation-related technical specifications, validation support materials, and product documentation needed for further testing, communication, and potential market uptake.The action also contributed to the preparation of supporting documentation related to environmental and product compliance aspects, including Ecolabel-related outputs and technical information materials relevant for users and industry professionals. These outputs formed an important basis for the technical credibility, usability, and transferability of the LIFE ALFIO results.
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B2 Production of pilot batches of formulations
Action completed.
This action covered the pilot-scale production of the developed formulations. During the project, 16 pilot batches were produced, corresponding to a total of 16,000 litres, with 1,000 litres produced for each formulation. This enabled the project to move beyond laboratory development and demonstrate the practical manufacturability and application potential of the developed paint and coating solutions.The pilot production phase was essential for validating the project’s technical approach under more realistic production conditions and for generating materials that could support testing, demonstration, dissemination, and future industrial uptake.
The main results of this action are reflected in the project’s final results summary available on the website and in the supporting technical materials presented on the Public Deliverables page.
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B3 Production of organoclay material
Action completed.
This action focused on the production of organoclay material required for the project’s paint and coating solutions. During the project, 10.4 tonnes of organoclay were produced. This result demonstrated the feasibility of producing the required material at a scale relevant for pilot formulation manufacturing and supported the validation of the project’s technical concept.The production of organoclay was an important enabling step for the implementation of the formulation development and pilot production activities. It also contributed to demonstrating the industrial relevance and scaling potential of the project’s approach.
The main results of this action are presented in the project’s final results summary on the website.
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B4 Business plan and exploitation perspective
Action completed.
This action addressed the business and exploitation dimension of the project by preparing a Business Plan that considered the future use, market relevance, and commercialisation potential of the project results. The work supported the assessment of possible business pathways for the developed solutions and contributed to the longer-term sustainability of the LIFE ALFIO outcomes.The Business Plan also supported the broader exploitation logic of the project by considering market opportunities, future users, industrial applicability, and the potential for continued uptake of the developed formulations, materials, and related knowledge.
The public Business Plan (Action B4) is available on the website’s Public Deliverables page.
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B5 Replication, transferability, platform maintenance, and policy uptake
Action completed.
This action focused on supporting the transfer, replication, practical uptake, and long-term use of the project results. It included the preparation of a Replicability and Transferability Plan, the development of policy-oriented recommendations, and actions supporting the continued use and accessibility of project outputs through the online platform.The action also contributed to wider sectoral uptake by identifying the relevance of the project results for users, stakeholders, and policy-makers, including through recommendations related to more sustainable Green Public Procurement (GPP) for paints and varnishes. In addition, tools and guidance supporting the continuation and use of the project outputs through the online platform were prepared.
C. Monitoring of the impact of the project actions.
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C1 Assessment of socio-economic impact.
Action completed.
This action assessed the socio-economic relevance and impact potential of the LIFE ALFIO project results, with particular attention to the paint and coatings sector, users of the developed formulations and materials, and the broader uptake potential of the proposed solutions. The assessment considered the project’s contribution to reducing hazardous substances in paints and coatings, improving environmental and health-related performance, and supporting the transition towards more sustainable products and practices in the sector.The socio-economic impact assessment also addressed the project’s wider value in relation to market uptake, industrial relevance, stakeholder benefits, and long-term application potential. The results of this action support the understanding of the project’s benefits beyond direct technical outputs and contribute to the evidence base for future exploitation and replication of the LIFE ALFIO solutions.
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C2 Monitoring of the environmental impact of the project actions
Action completed.
This action focused on monitoring and assessing the environmental performance of the project and its results. A monitoring methodology was developed to define the framework, indicators, and approach for evaluating the environmental effects of the project actions. This provided a structured basis for collecting, analysing, and interpreting project-related environmental performance data.In addition, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was carried out to evaluate the environmental implications of the developed solutions and to support a broader understanding of their sustainability potential. The results contributed to the assessment of the environmental benefits associated with reduced biocide use, low VOC content, and the application of the project’s developed materials and formulations.
D. Public awareness and dissemination of results.
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D1 Information and awareness-raising activities for the general public
Action completed.
This action started with the development of the project website www.lifealfio.com, which was launched in June 2020 and made available in both English and Latvian. During the project, notice boards were developed and installed at the project implementation locations, and a Communication Strategy was prepared to define the project’s communication objectives, target audiences, key messages, communication channels, timeline, and risk management approach.Project representatives also participated in LIFE networking and experience-exchange events, including the LIFE Platform Meeting on Chemicals and the Indicators Workshop in Vilnius in November 2019. During these activities, the project and its approach to reducing biocides in paints and coatings were presented to broader stakeholder audiences.
In addition, public-facing communication materials were developed throughout the project, including project videos, public information materials, and a Layman’s Report summarising the project results for the wider public. The project website was maintained and updated during implementation and, after project completion, was further updated with final public deliverables and key results.
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D2 Technical dissemination activities for paint and coating industry professionals
Action completed.
This action focused on technical dissemination and knowledge transfer to paint and coating industry professionals, including manufacturers, formulators, distributors, specifiers, and other sector stakeholders. During the project, the team developed targeted technical information materials, including product pages for selected formulations, presentations for specific professional audiences, and an incompatibility one-pager addressing formulation-related technical issues relevant to industry.In addition, the project contributed to sector-oriented dissemination through publications in industry magazines, participation in industry conferences and meetings, internet-based outreach, and professional networking activities. A conference and panel discussion on challenges and solutions related to reducing or eliminating biocides and VOCs in paints and coatings also contributed to the dissemination of the project’s technical results and lessons learned.
These activities supported the visibility, replicability, and practical uptake potential of the LIFE ALFIO results within the paint and coatings industry.
E. Project management.
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E1 Overall project management
Action completed.
The project was implemented by three beneficiaries: Ltd. ALINA as the Coordinating Beneficiary, and the University of Latvia and Riga Technical University as the Associated Beneficiaries. Throughout the project, the partners ensured effective overall coordination, technical and financial management, internal reporting, procurement supervision, communication with the monitoring team, and compliance with the project obligations.
The project management structure included project management by all three beneficiaries, Steering Committee meetings, supervision of formulation development, project procurements, and external audit requirements. Steering Committee meetings were held during the project to review progress, coordinate implementation, and support strategic decisions. In addition, industry experts were involved in discussions contributing to recommendations for more sustainable Green Public Procurement (GPP) for paints and coatings in Latvia.Relevant public deliverables related to project implementation and communication are available on the website’s Public Deliverables page, including the Communication Strategy and Notice Boards deliverables.
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E2 After-LIFE plan
Action completed.
The After-LIFE Plan has been prepared and defines the long-term sustainability, exploitation and further use of the project results after the end of the project. It includes the approach for maintaining project results through commercialisation, industrial uptake, dissemination, and continued use of the knowledge, materials and tools developed within LIFE ALFIO.The After-LIFE Plan also outlines the main follow-up directions for the project partners and supports the continued visibility and accessibility of key public project results after project closure.
The public summary of the After-LIFE Plan is available on the website’s Public Deliverables page.