Quick five questions – Patrick Folkes – Graphenstone director
3rd November 2022
What makes Graphenstone a genuinely eco-friendly paint and not another ‘greenwash’ paint brand?
I can’t help starting with the over-used observation “If not now, then when?”. In paints, colour choice has ruled for decades. The annual ‘colour of the year’ from the giant brands keeps us all focused-on colour, as they prefer us to be. But surely, we now are compelled to look ‘Beyond Colour’ a phrase we’ve now trademarked at Graphenstone, to encourage awareness in respect to the impact on ecology from production and also on health in homes and workplaces, from toxicity.
Our paints contain no chemicals or plastics, no preservatives or VOC’s, just natural ingredients. Our richly pigmented mineral paints are also reinforced with 21st Century graphene technology, producing one of the very few truly performing mineral paint systems.
Certifications too from Cradle to Cradle Institute for example, provides the ultimate validation for our claims. As Ronald Reagan once said, in his dealings with the Russians, “Trust, but Verify”! The same is true in paints.
Does Graphenstone paint have a positive effect on air quality?
Synthetic paints can have a highly toxic impact on indoor air quality.
One of our Graphenstone lime paints offers photocatalytic capabilities! An active air-purification benefit removing toxins like NOx, SOx and other harmful gasses, year after year, post application and it even self-cleans. It absorbs CO2 in the curing phase, permanently locking it into the product and this absorption process virtually offsets the CO2 released during the lime processing phase. This results in one of the lowest embedded carbon footprints in the paints marketplace. Surely this is the King of healthy, sustainable paints.
Facebook London HQ Brock St. Title of the work: “Excess of Elsewhere” Artist name: Kyung Hwa Shon. Artist website: www.kyunghwashon.com Venue: Meta’s King’s Cross Offices (Building T). Commissioned by: Meta Open ArtsPaints throughout building & murals: Graphenstone
When mixing the Chateau Restoration palette which was the most challenging colour to get spot on?
The Gosling colour that was the most challenging to create was Queen Mary’s Rose. A deep, Jasper reddish pink; the trick was to retain the ‘pinkness’ of the red without it being too luminous. Combining red oxide and Magenta pigments, retained the warmth and earthy red tone. Adding a combination of greys, knocked back the luminosity, adding a slight dusty blue hue; a fantastically bold, smooth and elegant colour!
How often do you change the colour of your walls at home?
Running a paints business does give me a little extra freedom to explore! My son’s room at home is about to get a new feature wall, something warm and intense like ‘Carnelian’ or ‘Mulberry’, both rich dark red purples, for impact. Colour can really motivate and excite, if used well in a small space. I tend to go for calm, warm shades, and Tim Gosling’s gorgeous ‘Aquatania Ocean Dawn’ for our bedroom, ensuring that the art would shine from this refined backdrop.
How important is being carbon neutral to Graphenstone and how is this reflected in your product?
A low embedded carbon footprint is an essential goal at the present time. Some brands buy carbon credits for example, to offset the damage already done. We focus on having an extremely low carbon footprint in the first place, from sourcing to post production. This ensures that Graphenstone has perhaps the best embedded carbon profile in the world of paints, something we’re especially proud of, while we continuously seek further improvements.
Designers are obviously concerned about the quality and cost to their client – how do you faRE in these areas?
We’re very price competitive, not just on costs per litre but also yield; how far does the paint stretch. The uniquely high solid content and added elasticity of graphene means you only need two coats. This makes it real value for money. However, our graphene ‘edge’ ensures that it’s not only sustainable and healthy but guarantees no compromise in performance. And to round it off, the finish is absolutely beautiful; a rich mineral coating, so much more reflective and warmer than your typical ‘cold’ plastic-based paint systems.
Photography credit – Sophie Connell
