Rialto – Lime Sustainability
THE GREEN SPIRIT
The CO2
The seasoned slaked lime (grassello di calce) represents a third of the ingredients of the decorative finish. Today this lime is obtained in a furnace following traditional procedures.
Once the product is applied, due the chemical composition of this air-hardening lime, it begins to reabsorb a good portion of the CO2 emitted during the production process, this is the so called carbonatation phase. This re-absorption process transforms the calcium hydroxide (lime) into calcium carbonate (stone).
Amongst the most popular binders in building construction, analyzing this delicate balance of CO2 emissions and reabsorption, we can say that the traditional seasoned slaked lime (grassello di calce) holds a special record: 60-62% of the CO2 total emission is re-absorbed drastically reducing the permanent CO2 footprint.
Hydrated dolomitic lime and calcic air-hardening lime perform around 53-56% while hydraulic lime performs at 26% and the other types of cement do not exceed 1%. Choosing a seasoned slaked lime based finish for your project is an excellent sustainable and ecological choice.
Water vapor permeability
Unlike acrylic based coatings, lime base coatings, because of their nature, do not film creating a physical barrier to water vapor transmission. On the contrary, lime based coatings promote air and water vapor exchange throughout the walls.
Dry walls contribute to a healthy and comfortable domestic environment.
Biocides
The high pH (12,5/13,5) of a lime coating is itself a basic environment with natural antiseptic properties. It contributes to purifying the living spaces and improving their liability.
Rialto lime based finishes simply do not contain added biocides.
Innovating with renewable energy
Sustainability is a core value of the Covema Group, the parent company of Rialto, and has been a guiding principle in its operations for many years. The group continues to prioritize and invest in sustainable practices with a strong commitment to the future.
Since 2009, Covema Vernici has powered its production processes with electricity generated from renewable sources. A solar panel system supplies approximately 65% of the company’s total energy needs, significantly reducing its environmental impact.
This dedication to renewable energy is just one example of Covema’s broader commitment to sustainability. Through continuous investment in research and development, Rialto and the Covema Group work to create paints and varnishes that not only protect surfaces but also safeguard the health of applicators and preserve the environment in which they are used.
Greenland: Covema’s forest for the planet
The environmental commitment of the Covema Group is at the heart of a new initiative: “GREENLAND – The Covema Forest.”
Developed in collaboration with Treedom, the world’s first online platform that enables users to plant trees remotely, this project aims to contribute to global reforestation efforts.
Through Greenland, every purchase of Covema products directly supports the company’s investment in tree planting across the world. This initiative not only represents Covema’s dedication to sustainability but also allows customers to play an active role in building a greener planet.
GREENLAND is both a Covema project and a shared mission with its customers—one that will help restore forests, capture CO₂, and let the world breathe. With this initiative, Covema reinforces its vision for a future rooted in sustainability and fair development.
GREENLAND’S NUMBERS
1000 new trees
356,730 kg of CO₂ absorbed
60 farmers involved
Find out more by visiting Covema’s page on the
www.treedom.net website