Product
There isn’t one set formula for paint. Every manufacturer creates their own recipe based on their goals. We keep our formula a closely guarded secret to protect it but, like most paint, it has five main components: pigments, water, minerals, additives and binders.
You can explore each ingredient in full in our Responsibility Report, but we’ve highlighted some headlines for you below.
‘In the Research and Development team, our mission is to create beautiful, durable paint with our signature depth of colour, while using safe, sustainable raw materials. Creating products that are better for our customers and our planet.
‘Even the most sustainable decorating will have an impact on the environment, which is why it’s important to make considered choices. However, using a durable, high-performance paint will help surfaces last longer, meaning they need to be replaced less often and reducing the impact of your decorating over time. So, decorating wisely can actually have a better long-term impact than not decorating. Paint doesn’t just make a space look nice, it protects your most valuable asset — your home.’
- Gareth Hayfield, Head of Research and Technical Development.
Pigments
We use 12 different pigments but the main one is titanium dioxide (TiO2). This is a white pigment used in toothpaste, suncream, food and many other household items. We add a lot of titanium dioxide, more than most, and this is what creates our signature aesthetic. It also has excellent opacity, meaning you need fewer coats.
Titanium dioxide is our ingredient with the largest environmental footprint. It's carbon intensive to mine and convert to white pigment. We’re currently looking for an alternative but this is easier said than done. The alternative must still be safe, provide equally good (or better) opacity and create the Farrow & Ball look we know and love.
Water
In 2010, we led the industry towards water based formulas, becoming the first paint brand to move to a 100% water based range. Water itself doesn’t pose the same risks as other solvents but the way it’s collected can cause problems. Luckily, we’re based in England with its infamously wet weather.
Binders
Over 95% of the Farrow & Ball range is vegan friendly. Only two of our finishes aren’t: Casein Distemper and Soft Distemper. These are specialist finishes crafted according to traditional recipes specifically for historic properties. They contain non-vegan binders, which create the breathable, permeable structure historic homes need. Contemporary, damp-proof finishes can cause serious structural damage. Casein Distemper includes a milk protein and Soft Distemper includes a waste product of the cattle industry.
As is standard practice within our industry, we don’t test any of our paint on animals — we never have, and we never will — so our entire range is proudly cruelty free.
Paper
The foundation of our wallpaper is the paper itself. So, we start with the best. We use quality paper sourced from responsibly managed forests, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC). To create our designs, we simply use our own paint and a layer of protective glaze. We don’t use PVC or plastic coatings.
VOCs and Air Quality
VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, are what often causes the strong smell of some paints. There’s concern around their impact on air quality, especially as we continue to improve the insulation of homes. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to respiratory health conditions, so it’s not just about a pleasant painting experience but safety too.
Our entire range, including our trim paints, is rated low VOC or less. In fact, Dead Flat®, Modern Emulsion and Estate Emulsion are even classed as ‘Trace’ by the British Coatings Federation, which is the best possible rating. Low VOC paints like ours can help reduce the impact of decorating on your indoor air quality — during the decorating process and for a good while afterwards.
Looking For More?
Dive into the detail and read our Responsibility Report in full online. Or, head back to our sustainability homepage to browse another chapter summary.