Navigating sustainability: challenges and opportunities in eco-friendly paint manufacturing practices in Portuguese industries

Environmental degradation and public health are undeniably linked to industrial pollution, which is progressively getting worse every day. This reality requires a proactive change in companies to actively reduce the significant environmental impact of chemicals consumption, especially in paints and varnishes, which tend to be more toxic than other products. Despite this urgent need, there is a significant gap in the environmental commitment of Portuguese civil engineering paint manufacturers. To address this issue, a targeted questionnaire was distributed to 90 companies in different regions of Portugal, on 41 companies provided valuable insights into their practices. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire distributed to production managers, focusing on six conceptual frameworks relevant to paint industry practices. The data was methodically organised allowing statistical analysis such as T-tests and Chi-square tests. The results showed that 59% of the companies had a low level of environmental commitment, lacking the necessary departments for eco-friendly practices (or sustainable practices) and effective marketing campaigns to promote sustainable products, particularly waterborne paints, which are crucial for reducing consumer exposure to harmful solvents.