Our Commitment to Progress

Sustainability isn’t new to us—it’s embedded in our values, culture and way of doing business. We take an integrated approach to the stakeholders we serve, seeking to meet the needs of our customers, create and maximize value for our shareholders and advance the well-being of communities

Our efforts toward building a better future are guided by these pillars:

• Product Blueprint
• Environmental Footprint
• Social Imprint

Environmental Footprint

Our continuous improvement approach aims to reduce our carbon emissions, energy use and waste generation on top of expanding our renewable energy use and recycling methods.

In doing our part for the planet, we’re working toward achieving the following goals by 2030:

• Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30%
• Increase electricity from renewable sources to 50% of total electricity usage
• Increase operational energy efficiency by 20%
• Reduce waste disposal intensity by 25%

Social Imprint

We are committed to advancing a culture of excellence that values people, inclusion and community. Our commitment is reflected in our unwavering efforts to promote the safety, health and well-being of our people; foster a culture of belonging where individual differences are celebrated; and support those in the communities where we live and work.

Our people are what make us. To attract the best talent out there and help sustain a workforce where our employees can grow, we’re working to:

• Reduce recordable case rate to 0.8 by 2025
• Reduce ergonomic injuries by implementing two ergonomic interventions per year in each manufacturing site
• Attract underrepresented groups into talent pipeline
• Ensure underrepresented groups have opportunities to take on and succeed in leadership roles 
• Drive employee engagement
• Foster economic inclusion for underrepresented suppliers

Product Blueprint

Driving sustainability through the innovation of our products is where we make the biggest impact in building a more sustainable future. From life cycle assessments to using bio-renewable materials in our products, we’re implementing sustainability into the stages of our product innovation and development processes.

We evaluate chemical formulations, product performance, manufacturing processes, health and safety considerations and product packaging. Plus, we’ve taken our innovation a step further and integrated Sustainability by Design into our existing Stage-Gate process.

Governance & Ethics

We believe a strong foundation helps us hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethics, business integrity and corporate governance.

Our approach to sustainability performance is managed within a governance structure that enables broad engagement across the organization, while providing appropriate oversight and accountability throughout the Company.

What is RadGuard?

A new innovation in the coil coatings industry, radiation curing technology changes the way a coating is cured. Traditionally, the coating is cured with a thermal oven while radiation curing uses energy instead of heat to solidify the liquid coating. Used primarily in printing applications, this technology utilizes either Ultraviolet (UV energy) or Electron Beam (EB) to form a coating.

Electron Beam (EB) Radiation Curing

Electron beam curing utilizes accelerated electrons to directly cause the cross-linking of inks and coatings. This allows for a high degree of conversion from oligomer to polymer to take place.

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation Curing

Ultraviolet Radiation curing works by utilizing high-intensity ultraviolet energy to instantaneously cure the coating. A chemical photoinitiator is used to absorb the UV energy and cross-link the polymers.

• Reduction in Floor Space due to dramatically smaller footprint based upon speed of cure and less equipment

• Lower Capital Cost by eliminating expenses associated with multi-stage oven, thermo-oxidizer and other equipment

• No Additional Permitting since radiation cure technology is 100% solids, meaning no need for emission permits

• Sustainability benefits are an important aspect to radiation curing

• Energy Savings through utilization of radiation cure technology that can be more efficient than traditional thermal cure coatings

Driving Sustainability through an Innovative Curing Process

RadGuard is a urethane resin system that boasts long-lasting performance. It can be used in a broad range of applications including gutters, fascia and more. Radiation cure technologies are rapidly advancing in terms of coating performance and equipment capabilities. We are on the forefront of this technology. Sustainability benefits of radiation curing include:

• Lower fire or explosion hazard

• Formulated with 100% solids

• Produces no VOCs (solvent-free)

• Can be retrofitted to an existing line

• RadGuard^TM EB/UV Clearcoat - applied to protect an existing thermal topcoat.

• RadGuard^TM UV Primer - replaces existing thermally cured solvent primer.

• RadGuard^TM EB Color Topcoat - applied as a colored topcoat to replace an existing thermal topcoat.

Understanding Cool Coatings

“Coolness” is measured by two properties, solar reflectance and thermal emittance. Both properties are measured from 0 to 1 and the higher value, the “cooler” the roof. Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) calculates these two values (solar reflectance and thermal emittance) to determine the roof and wall’s ability to reject solar heat.

• Solar Reflectance (SR): The ability to reflect a percentage of solar radiation from the surface back into the atmosphere.
• Thermal Emittance (TE): The ability to radiate a percentage of absorbed solar energy (heat) back into the atmosphere.
• Solar Reflectance Index (SRI): A calculation method using solar reflectance and thermal emittance values to determine the roof’s ability to reject solar heat.

Visit our English sites to learn more about cool coatings: 

• Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA)
• Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC)

Exceptional resistance to sun, rain and other natural elements

Resistance to marring, chalking and fading

UV protection

Great flexibility and formability

Superior weatherability

Outstanding color consistency

Proven durability

Energy efficiency 

Sustainability Benefits of Cool Coatings

Cool roofing and wall panel requirements appear in national and local energy codes, sustainable building initiatives, and energy rebate programs. Higher SRI Values contribute to lower surface temperatures, reducing ambient air temperatures, thereby mitigating the urban heat island effect. Urban heat islands are caused by roof and pavement surfaces retaining the sun's heat, causing elevated temperatures, increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and local climate disruptions. Cool coatings minimize these adverse effects, while increasing occupant comfort and reducing the occurrence of health issues associated with poor air quality and smog. When used in new construction, cool coatings systems offer opportunities to earn LEED credits such as:

1. Building product disclosure and optimization - material ingredients
2. Building product disclosure and optimization - environmental product declarations
3. Building life cycle impact reduction
4. The heat island reduction – roof and wall

When you design with sustainability in mind, it is crucial to use products and suppliers that offer you the resources and solutions to help you meet your goals. At Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings, we work directly with our customers to help their projects achieve standards of national and global initiatives.