Driving Sustainability in Industrial Coating Processes: How Qlayers Supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals

7 min

About Qlayers

22 April 2025

Why does driving sustainability in industrial coating processes matter for Qlayers clients?

Regulatory Compliance & Safety – Qlayers coating technology helps our clients to stay ahead of evolving regulations (VOC limits, OSHA, EU Green Deal) with sustainable solutions that meet industry standards
Higher Efficiency & Less Waste – Automated precision coating eliminates overspray, cuts material waste, and optimizes resource use for greater cost savings
Future-Proof & Long-Term Success – Adopt future-proof technologies today to ensure enduring success and a competitive edge in the years to come
Lower Costs & Longer Asset Lifespan – Enhanced durability and consistent application reduce maintenance expenses, extending asset lifespans and lowering long-term costs

In today’s fast-evolving industrial landscape, compliance with environmental and safety regulations has become more than a legal requirement — it’s a strategic driver of innovation and competitive advantage.

Across Europe and beyond, industries are under mounting pressure to reduce VOC emissions, limit hazardous waste, and protect worker health and safety. Regulatory frameworks like the EU Green Deal, Solvent Emissions Directive (SED), and Zero Pollution Action Plan are reshaping how companies must operate.

The urgency is real.

Take the maritime sector: it alone accounts for approximately 2.9% of global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions. Similar trends in heavy industry, energy infrastructure, and transportation highlight the critical need for systemic sustainability across the entire coating and maintenance value chain.

At Qlayers, we believe sustainability isn’t a feature — it’s our foundation. Our automated coating solutions are engineered to reduce emissions, eliminate overspray, and improve job site safety. By integrating technology with responsibility, we help asset owners and contractors future-proof their operations while actively contributing to seven core UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this article, we’ll show how Qlayers supports measurable progress in sustainable industrialization — from decarbonizing coatings and enabling cleaner energy, to protecting marine life and improving labor conditions.

SDG 13: Climate Action through Sustainable Industrial Coatings

As part of the EU Green Deal, European industries must reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55% by 2030, with the ultimate goal of achieving net-zero by 2050. Globally, initiatives like the UN Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance demand 22–32% emission reductions by 2025, and 49–65% by 2030, underscoring the pressure for faster, tangible action.

Yet one often-overlooked contributor to industrial emissions is manual coating application — a process that releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs), generates significant material waste, and exposes workers to hazardous environments.

At Qlayers, we’re transforming this narrative.

The 10Q robotic coating system, was developed with sustainability at its heart and directly addresses the environmental inefficiencies of traditional coating methods.

Our “no overspray technology” drastically decreases the amount of paint and plastics released into the environment and uses up to 35% less paint, reducing emissions from production, transportation and waste. Overall, our technology can reduce GHG emissions per job by up to 30%. Also, VOC emissions are reduced by around 35%, improving air quality and reducing impact on human and ecosystem health.

Although Qlayers is only in the early stages of commercial deployment, the environmental impact of our technology is already visible. It demonstrates the potential impact at scale: the more surface we coat, the more emissions we avoid — both directly (through reduced paint use) and indirectly (via safer and cleaner operations).

Additionally, our data-driven sustainability analyses empower businesses to optimize their resources for energy-efficient applications and stay ahead of global regulations like the EU Green Deal.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production in Industrial Coating

Achieving SDG 12 requires a shift toward sustainable industrial processes that minimize hazardous waste and pollution. Traditional spray coating methods often result in up to 40% overspray (7) and consequently release toxic substances such as lead, chromium, polyisocyanates, and VOCs into the environment, contributing to air, water, and land pollution and posing serious health risks.

In Europe and the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency and (EPA) Solvents Emissions Directive (SED) have set strict limits on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emission standards for industrial coatings, with some states enforcing caps as low as 250 g/L, while the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan targets a 50% reduction in plastic litter and a 30% cut in microplastic pollution by 2030. (8,9,10, 11)

Qlayers’ automated coating technology directly addresses these challenges in industrial painting. Our integrated suction system captures and filters paint particles, virtually eliminates toxic paint overspray, minimizing VOC emissions and paint usage by 35%, ensuring cleaner air and safer working conditions for painters in the surface maintenance industry. Our sustainable surface treatment solutions promote responsible consumption and production across industries.

SDG 14: Life Below Water through Eco-Friendly Marine Coatings Practices

Qlayers plays a pivotal role in preserving life below water by addressing critical sources of marine pollution. Paint particles alone account for 58% of all microplastics found in the ocean, posing serious risks to marine ecosystems and human health (12). By preventing overspray during shipyard painting, our systems prevent toxic substances from entering waterways, thereby protecting marine ecosystems and maintaining water quality.

By drastically reducing chemical leakage and capturing paint particles, our solutions help protect aquatic and terrestrial life.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Advancement with Automated Coating

At Qlayers, SDG 9 is at the core of our mission.

Our automated coating technology extends asset lifespans through improved application precision and accurate layer thickness, ensuring consistent high quality that results in enhanced durability and wear resistance for infrastructure such as storage tanks and vessels.

This application provides more reliable, longer-lasting protection, reducing the need for frequent replacements and ultimately contributing to sustainable industrialization.

Furthermore, our future bio-inspired microstructured coatings showcase our commitment to modernizing industrial maintenance and setting new standards in coating innovation. By combining automation and advanced materials, Qlayers secures long-term success for industries worldwide, driving sustainable growth.

SDG 3 & 8: Good Health and Wellbeing & Decent Work and Economic Growth in the Coating Industry

At Qlayers, we are committed to advancing SDG8 by promoting sustained economic growth, creating highly skilled job roles, an ensuring safe, inclusive, and future-proof work environments.

Founded in 2017, Qlayers set out to transform the industrial coating industry through innovation. Our early years were focused on intensive R&D, laying the groundwork for a high-tech solution that embraces Industry 4.0 principles. Since then we have grown steadily – expanding our team with highly skilled professionals in research, engineering, sustainability, and international business. This growth reflects not only an increase in employment but also an investment in meaningful, specialized roles that contribute to a smarter and safer industrial future.

Our impact goes beyond job creation. Traditional industrial painting methods often expose workers to hazardous conditions – such as dangerous heights and harmful chemicals leading to significantly higher work-related fatality rates in the coating industry. Qlayers addresses this with our automated coating technologies that allows operators to work safely from the ground. Our integrated spray shielding system also minmizes overspray and air pollutants, further protecting the health of workers.

By eliminating many of physical risks associated with manual coating tasks, we’re not only improving safety but also making these roles more appealing to younger generations – helping to combat the growing shortage of skilled labor in the sector. (15)

Our workplace practices reflect a strong commitment to ethical and sustainable growth:

We prioritize employee safety and well-being, ensuring compliance with international standards like OSHA.
We cultivate an inclusive, international environment that encourages personal development and cross-functional collaboration.
As an active member of Delft’s high-tech ecosystem, we contribute to both local and national economies by offering stable, forward-looking employment opportunities.

A Sustainable Future with Qlayers

Achieving the UN’s 2030 vision for sustainability requires collective action. As a technology provider, Qlayers is committed to driving progress towards these goals, demonstrating that our robotic coating solutions not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance performance and cost-effectiveness.

Transform your business.

Embrace innovation and forge a more sustainable future for the coating industry.

Ready to explore how Qlayers can help your organization meet its sustainability goals and achieve operational excellence in industrial coating applications? Contact our team today for a personalized consultation

References

Do you want to learn more about robotic coating solutions?

To learn more about the specifications of the 10Q coating robot and have it featured in your following coating projects, please contact our sales team at sales@qlayers.com or fill out this form.