Eco-friendly and high-performance road marking paint developed with hemp oil-based alkyd resins: synthesis, characterization, and application performance

Purpose This study aims to develop and evaluate eco-friendly, high-performance road marking paints formulated with alkyd resins synthesized from hemp seed oil. By replacing conventional petrochemical-based binders with renewable, bio-derived alternatives, the research seeks to enhance sustainability, reduce VOC emissions and minimize environmental impact. The synthesized resins were characterized through FTIR, ¹H-NMR, TGA and DSC analyses, and their mechanical and optical performances such as drying time, abrasion resistance, hiding power and color stability were benchmarked against industry standards. The objective is to demonstrate hemp oil-based alkyds as viable, sustainable substitutes for conventional resins in traffic safety coatings. Design/methodology/approach This study developed an environmentally friendly binder system by synthesizing alkyd resins from hemp seed oil for road marking paints. The resins, characterized by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, TGA and DSC, exhibited good chemical integrity and thermal stability. The resulting paints met Turkish Highway Technical Specifications and showed rapid drying without driers, high abrasion resistance and satisfactory optical performance. Owing to their low VOC content and sustainable raw materials, hemp oil–based alkyd resins offer a viable and innovative alternative to conventional road marking binders. Findings The hemp oil-based alkyd resins exhibited strong chemical integrity, high thermal stability and excellent film-forming capability. FTIR and ¹H-NMR analyses confirmed successful synthesis, while TGA and DSC indicated superior thermal resistance and flexibility. Road marking paints formulated with these resins demonstrated rapid drying (surface: 12 min, through: 34 min) without drier additives, high abrasion resistance (125 L) and outstanding hiding power (96.7%). The bleeding and whiteness values met the Turkish Highway Technical Specifications, ensuring long-term visibility and durability. Overall, hemp-based formulations achieved comparable or superior performance to conventional systems, proving their technical and environmental feasibility for sustainable road marking applications. Practical implications This study shows that hemp oil-based alkyd resins are effective sustainable binders for road marking paints, providing comparable or superior performance to conventional petrochemical systems. Their fast drying, high abrasion resistance, low VOC content and the elimination of metal-based driers reduce environmental impact and health risks, making them suitable for high-traffic and environmentally sensitive applications. Given that hemp cultivation is legally permitted in Türkiye, local production could reduce import dependency and support bio-based industrial development. Social implications The use of hemp as an industrial raw material supports rural development, green employment and agricultural diversification. Replacing petrochemical resins with bio-based alternatives contributes to healthier working conditions and reduced exposure to toxic substances. Local hemp utilization can strengthen regional economies, increase environmental awareness and align industrial practices with global sustainability and responsible consumption goals. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first comprehensive investigation demonstrating the feasibility of using hemp seed oil-based alkyd resins as binders in road marking paints. It uniquely integrates renewable raw materials into a high-performance coating system, eliminating the need for toxic metal-based driers. By combining advanced characterization techniques (FTIR, ¹H-NMR, TGA, DSC) with real performance validation, it bridges the gap between sustainable chemistry and industrial application. The research not only supports Türkiye’s legal and strategic initiatives for hemp valorization but also provides a scalable model for green innovation in the global coatings industry.