The quality of air inside homes and offices is emerging as a critical factor in sustainable urban living, and leading paint manufacturer Dulux has taken a step to make this visible. In collaboration with indoor air quality monitor maker Nooku, the company is demonstrating how low-emission paints can significantly reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and improve the air residents breathe. The initiative addresses growing concerns that indoor spaces can contain up to five times the pollutants found outdoors.
VOCs, primarily released by traditional solvent-based paints, have long been recognised as contributors to indoor air pollution, with potential health implications. Through this partnership, Dulux is highlighting its water-based and low-VOC formulations, including trade and consumer products that maintain durability and finish quality while lowering chemical emissions. Experts in building sustainability note that such innovations align with global green building benchmarks, including BREEAM, LEED, and WELL standards. Using Nooku’s real-time monitoring devices, which track VOCs, humidity, CO₂, and other airborne pollutants, the collaboration is quantifying the immediate impact of paint choices on indoor environments. Measurements consistently show that spaces painted with Dulux’s 99.9% VOC-free emulsions maintain ‘Good’ air quality during application and drying, whereas conventional solvent-based paints exhibit more fluctuating and often poorer readings. For urban planners and homebuilders, these data provide tangible evidence of how material selection can enhance indoor environmental quality without sacrificing aesthetics or performance.
Dulux has been systematically replacing solvent-based paints with advanced water-based technologies across its product lines, including quick-dry finishes for wood and metal, which combine lower VOC content with faster drying times. Industry analysts suggest that such developments reflect a broader trend in construction and design: targeting emissions at the source rather than relying solely on post-construction air treatment. The initiative also underscores the intersection of product innovation, occupant health, and climate-conscious building practices. From an urban development perspective, this partnership has wider implications. As cities densify and more people spend extended periods indoors, ensuring the air quality of residential and commercial buildings becomes a social and economic priority. Corporate sustainability officials and environmental designers indicate that solutions integrating low-emission materials, alongside monitoring tools, can help meet regulatory compliance, enhance occupant wellbeing, and support long-term asset value.
The collaboration between Dulux and Nooku exemplifies how traditional industries can adapt to evolving expectations for health, safety, and environmental responsibility in the built environment. By linking paint technology to measurable air quality outcomes, the initiative offers builders, designers, and homeowners practical pathways to healthier, more climate-resilient interiors.
Dulux Collaborates with Nooku on Low VOC Paints
