Sustainable Paint Finishes with Natural Pigments

Every color ever produced by kt.COLOR is still available to you, even if it's no longer in the current collection. We have safely stored the handmade samples and the production recipe. Simply provide us with the color name, the KT code, and/or the production batch number. The batch number is the stamped number on the container, starting with 00 or AA. We can produce the color for you in any quantity you require, starting from one kilogram.

Touching wall surfaces often leaves marks. These are particularly noticeable on matte and dark colors. You can avoid this problem by...

Detailed instructions can be found here.

Microscopic and microchemical analyses provide the precise knowledge of original paint schemes required for historic preservation. A tiny sample is all that's needed. This method is far more accurate and less prone to error than matching exposed color fields to the supposedly closest NCS reference. See for yourself with these images of the color reconstructions in Le Corbusier's Villa La Roche and the Bauhaus Masters' House Muche-Schlemmer.

In the first step of the analysis, we examine the sample and provide you with a written summary of the findings.

In the second step, if desired, we will develop a recipe for your color based on the findings, using the original pigments.

As much nature as possible. As little petrochemicals as necessary. Maximum quantities of natural pigments. Maximum transparency. These are the cornerstones of our philosophy.

The natural pigments are what distinguish our paints from all others. Nevertheless, more and more premium paint manufacturers are pretending that their paints are natural products and their pigments are natural. Unfortunately, they are allowed to do so. Terms used in the paint industry are not protected, such as "mineral paint" and "natural." Sustainability often means greenwashing. At most, the binder used by industry leaders is mineral-based. In Switzerland, the pigment titanium dioxide is even labeled as "renewable or natural" despite its unfavorable carbon footprint. Just like the natural pigments we use, which are truly natural!

Many premium manufacturers are unaware of this. They buy their binders, have them tinted, package them attractively, and thus achieve the considerable margins they invest in advertising. For us, this means demanding and offering maximum transparency. The table Finishes Overview provides you with clear information on all binders that are part of our regular product range.

We offer lime casein paints, purely mineral silicate paints and rolled oil paints based on 100% vegetable oil to monument preservation in cooperation with kt.COLOR Masters of Colors and our application specialists.

This overview shows you the colors we carry in our product range. Find the KT code of the color you need. If the field under your desired finish is empty, ask us if we can produce the color for you. You might be the first. Otherwise, you'll find the alternative options.

The suitability of the paints for facades can be seen in a second overview. The Y-value in the second column is the measured lightness reflection value (LRV). You may need this for the ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite System) manufacturers.

For mineral substrates, we recommend kt.COLOR silicate mineral paints. For wood and primed metals, use Linum oil paints.

You should opt for other facade finishes in the following cases:

Which colors in these finishes are weather-resistant and suitable for facades can be found in this Facade Colors Overview. The Y-value in the second column is the measured lightness reflection value (LRV). You may need this for the EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) manufacturers.

The term "finish" refers to paint, coating, or coating material. Finishes are the skin of architecture. They shape the visual impact of your architecture and largely determine the emotional experience of the space.

Finishes consist of pigments and fillers, a binder, a solvent, and additives.

The pigments are crucial for the spatial effect of a color. The higher the concentration, the more intense the color effect. Our deepest ultramarine blue, for example, contains 85% of the legendary blue pigment.

Machine-mixed paints have a pigment content of a maximum of 8 to 10%, with 8% being typical for premium manufacturers, according to the company itself. To prevent the paint from being too lean, the semi-finished products are literally filled with powdery fillers.

At kt.COLOR, we don't work with semi-finished products or standardized pigment pastes. We manufacture every color from scratch in our own workshop, using only sparkling, granular, intensely colored, or earthy pigments. Our pigments are what set our finishes apart.

Water is our primary solvent. Only some paints contain other solvents. You can find the exact quantities in the technical data sheets.

The additives ensure good flow, storage stability, defoaming, and drying. They rarely make up more than 1% of the paint mass.

If you would like to learn more about the ingredients in paints, you will find modules in every kt.COLOR Event and on every Masterclass Training that will provide you with in-depth knowledge.

Dark facade colors are more popular than ever. But how dark can a facade be? The light reflectance value (LRV) is a measure of brightness in percent on the colorimetric Y-scale. The lower the value, the less light is reflected.

Stone walls tolerate heat well, but external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) cannot dissipate the energy, so they shouldn't be too dark. Most ETICS manufacturers don't offer a warranty for a light reflectance value (LRV) of 20 or lower. You can find the LRV values ​​for all ktCOLOR colors in this list. Partner companies can also find this value in the price list next to the color name.

Glazes allow you to create surfaces that show through the underlying structure. The construction remains visible, and as a coating, they have a decorative effect. Opaque paints, on the other hand, blend with the architecture and therefore have a structural effect.

Using the right glazing medium ensures a secure curing of the glaze at any level of transparency. The following products should be used:

M035 Emulsion Glaze Medium - Binder for emulsion and titanium-free emulsion. Dilute paints with 10% water; further dilutions in any ratio with M035 Emulsion Glaze Medium.

M015 Silicate Primer – Special fixative for kt.COLOR silicate-based glazes. Dilute M015 Silicate Primer with an equal amount of water, mix in as desired.

M030 Satinée Binder, M050 PUR Gloss Varnish / M054 PUR Satin Varnish – possible dilutions for Satinée paints.

Linseed oil solution – thinner for Linum oil paints SG / Linum oil paints for outdoor use. Dilute paints as desired.

Which lighting do we recommend for workspaces, bedrooms, or showrooms? You'll achieve the best match with color and spatial effects in familiar daylight with...

The kt.COLOR emulsion paint belongs to the class of vapor-permeable coatings based on mineral materials with minimal organic additives. In particular, it contains 25% silicate clays and only small amounts of synthetic binders, making it highly breathable and maintaining the moisture-regulating properties of clay plasters. Both the clay plasters and the emulsion have a silicate pore structure that helps to balance moisture levels and the indoor climate.

Darker shades can be processed more easily with M021 propylene glycol retarder up to a maximum of 10%. This does not change the moisture-regulating properties of the surfaces, but it does extend the drying times. Refer to the respective data sheets for further information.

True mineral paints bond permanently to suitable substrates. The best-known binders are lime, cement, and water glass, with potassium silicate leading the market. Lithium silicate, primarily used by kt.COLOR, sets faster and produces richer colors, but is considerably more expensive and therefore less common.

The term "mineral paint" refers only to the mineral binder. The coloring pigments are irrelevant for this classification. True mineral paints, however, require chemically reactive pigments. Only some natural pigments and synthetic inorganic pigments (somewhat confusingly labeled "mineral") meet this requirement. At kt.COLOR, natural pigments are preferred, such as earth pigments, lapis lazuli, or suitable types of ochre. Furthermore, the lithium silicate binder allows for a doubling of the color pigment content compared to potassium silicate, enabling even artificial mineral pigments, such as ultramarine, to achieve previously unattainable depths of color with kt.COLOR.

From around 1980, dispersion-modified mineral paints, or organosilicate paints, became widely established. According to German Industrial Standard 18363, industrially manufactured mineral paints made from potassium silicate and artificial mineral pigments may contain a maximum of 5% organic binders. In kt.COLOR paints, the dispersion content is slightly higher, depending on the color, because the setting of more highly pigmented paints requires higher binder content (potassium silicate and dispersion). The kt.COLOR Silicate paint belongs to this category.

From around 2002, sol-silicate paints expanded the product range. They contain little to no water glass. These so-called "pre-silicified mineral paints" are actually mineral-based paints that are vapor-permeable but require neither chemically reactive substrates nor pigments. They adhere to almost all surfaces. The kt.COLOR emulsion and titanium-free emulsion belong to this category.

For environmentally friendly, high-quality topcoats applied by spraying to wood and wood-based materials, the application of kt.COLOR Satinée paints with the M056 Acrylic 2K Matt Clear Lacquer has proven its worth for years in office furniture, kitchen fronts, and interior design. The matte finish is durable and exhibits no color shift compared to unprotected Satinée paints. Further advantages include excellent scratch resistance, good chemical resistance, and fast drying time.

The thinning of the Satinée paints takes place in the paint shop with M021 propylene glycol retarder.

You can find the most important work instructions in the information sheet KTC_TM_Satinée_M056.

Colors are three-dimensional vehicles of effect. Translations of our colors, which are made from more than 120 pigments and optimized for tactile qualities, to system colors (RAL, NCS, etc.), whose shades are made from a few artificial pigments and merely reproduce the hue, sacrifice the third dimension. The translations appear flat and gray, while the originals from kt.COLOR are deep, sparkling, and stony.

Color concepts implemented with remixed colors fail to achieve the harmony that arises from complementary mixtures.

The kt.COLOR original colors cannot be located on the NCS/RAL system color bodies.

Light switches or powder-coated components should be implemented using authentic materials or neutral, somewhat darker colors.

Pigment colors, in stark contrast to colors mixed according to NCS or RAL references, are composed of specific natural or mineral pigments. Pigment colors liberate architecture from the psychological confusion and dematerialization inherent in color systems that burden the subject of color.

Katrin Trautwein, the founder of the Swiss paint manufacturer ktCOLOR, gives three reasons for the use of pigment paints in construction:

The ktCOLOR range comprises 180 pigment colors. Color concepts using pigment colors are developed according to logical and material criteria that harmonize light, color material, and space.

RAL 9016, NCS S 0500-N, and RAL 9010, regardless of the manufacturer, appear flat, diffuse, and tiring to the eyes. For matte wall and ceiling surfaces, it's worth using sparkling natural pigments and vibrant colors that play with the light. After the change, you'll wonder how you ever managed to live in RAL 9010-bright rooms.

In new construction, you can try to have the appropriate kt.COLOR paint applied as a spray coating for door leaves, window frames, etc. Some general contractors do not allow this. In this case, the following recommendations apply:

Titanium dioxide is the most widely used pigment in the world. However, there are three good reasons to prefer paints that contain as little titanium dioxide as possible, or even better, none at all.

At kt.COLOR, we began removing titanium dioxide from our paints years ago. Our Titanium-Free emulsion, all Pigment Lime products, and many of our Emulsion and Silicate finishes contain no titanium dioxide. Our other Emulsion and Silicate paints contain only very small amounts. We are setting industry standards in this area as well.

If you're looking for wall or facade paints without titanium dioxide, let kt.COLOR or our partners create a concept for you with colors that meet your needs. You'll be delighted by the vibrant effect of your colors, and you'll be doing the environment a favor at the same time.

Please note that our titanium-free products are processed exclusively by qualified kt.COLOR Masters of Colors.

This list shows you the common substrates and the finishes you can use on them.

We carry a pigment in our range that is an upcycled product: Ivory Black. This traditional, deep black pigment is made from calcined cattle bones. If you are vegan, use our silicate paints for both interior and exterior applications. The water glass binder is incompatible with Ivory Black. Darker silicate paints contain black volcanic earths and iron oxide black instead. The volcanic earths are sandy and beautiful, but not as dark as Ivory Black, which is why we cannot produce the eight darkest black colors in the kt.COLOR range with a silicate finish.

A rough estimate for the redesign of all surfaces in the room, including the ceiling, is:

For example, 30 kg of paint for a living space of 40 square meters.

A rough estimate for redesigning an area with two coats of paint:

For example, 6 kg of paint for a wall of 24 square meters.

Conversely, two coats of 1 kg of paint will cover 4 square meters.

These calculations will help you with budget preparation. kt.COLOR paints cover:

If you need more precise information, you can find a summary of consumption values ​​per finish in this table.

Precise consumption figures must be determined on site. They depend on the color, design, and substrate. However, these estimates are generally a good starting point.

Looking for a color not in the kt.COLOR range? We draw on our extensive pigment collection and experience to create a highly personalized match to your specific needs. You won't receive a standard mix of artificial pigments. We'll craft a unique, handcrafted color for you using exclusive pigments. Please allow us two days to develop the formula. You'll be absolutely delighted with the result.

We will charge you a one-time flat fee for the work involved in processing the prescription.

We reserve the right to agree on an hourly rate with you for complex tasks.

A flat production fee applies to every order between 1 and 20 kg. This fee is waived for orders of 20 kg or more. Our master colorists and kt.COLOR designers can handle the formulation using color points.