Shark Solutions strengthens position as drop‑in supplier for global paint markets

Circularity Capital portfolio company Shark Solutions has launched a new set of paint formulations that enable manufacturers to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of interior wall and ceiling paints, without compromising performance.

The new “Starting Point Formulations” (SPFs) are designed for high‑performance architectural paints and use Shark Solutions’ proprietary SharkDispersion™ binders, which are produced entirely from recycled post‑consumer laminated glass. These binders replace traditional oil‑based acrylics that are widely used across the global paints and coatings industry.

While the underlying chemistry is complex, the commercial implication is straightforward: paint producers can now formulate everyday interior paints that are more sustainable, competitively priced and aligned with tightening environmental standards, without requiring major changes to their production processes or end‑product quality.

The new formulations can reduce the climate impact associated with paint binders by three to five times compared with conventional materials, translating into a carbon footprint reduction of up to 69% versus styrene acrylics and up to 81% versus traditional acrylic binders.

Importantly for manufacturers and retailers, the paints deliver strong performance where it matters most to consumers. The formulations achieve high opacity and durability, including strong resistance to wear from cleaning, even at higher pigment levels that typically make paints harder to formulate effectively.

The binders are also free from biocides, contain virtually no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and are produced in Europe from a waste stream that would otherwise be down‑cycled or landfilled. This supports paint producers seeking to meet regulatory, retailer and consumer expectations around healthier indoor environments and circular sourcing.

For Circularity Capital, the development highlights Shark Solutions’ ability to turn a difficult‑to‑recycle material – laminated glass from end‑of‑life vehicles and buildings – into a scalable industrial input with clear environmental and commercial value. Paints and coatings represent one of the largest and most established end markets for polymer binders, offering a significant route to scale for recycled materials.

The new formulations further strengthen Shark Solutions’ position as a supplier of “drop‑in” circular materials that help industrial customers decarbonise without increasing costs or sacrificing performance – a core theme across Circularity Capital’s portfolio. Find out more here.