Oct 29, 2026 | Case Study | 5 minute read
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Bio-based acrylic emulsions advance sustainability in construction chemicals
Dow’s bio-based solutions for caulks, sealants, and fiber-bonding applications offer equal performance with an improved sustainability profile.
Dow’s selected bio-based acrylic emulsions produced through physical segregation help reduce the global warming potential (GWP)-fossil in caulk, sealant, and fiber-bonding applications, while maintaining the excellent performance of traditional acrylic binders.
Key takeaways
- Selected Dow bio-based acrylic emulsions are designed for caulks, sealants, and fiber-bonding applications.
- The emulsions are designed for integration into existing formulations without requiring changes to established formulation or production processes.
- Performance is described as comparable to conventional fossil-based acrylic emulsions, including workability, durability, consistency, and quality.
- Physical segregation keeps bio-based and conventional raw materials separate through the supply chain until production, supporting traceability and verification of renewable inputs.
- Depending on the product grade, bio-based carbon content ranges from 21% to 37%, contributing to a product carbon footprint that can be up to 29% lower than comparable fossil-based alternatives. This is subject to the applicable product grade and assessment methodology.
- The portfolio can help manufacturers increase renewable-resource use and reduce source-to-factory fossil-carbon emissions without compromising required application performance.
Why are bio-based materials important for construction chemicals?
Construction manufacturers and contractors are increasingly seeking high-performance solutions that support sustainability objectives, minimize environmental impact, and promote safety throughout a product’s lifecycle.
Through continuous innovation in how we source, manufacture, and deliver our materials portfolio, Dow is working to reduce our reliance on fossil-based raw materials. By incorporating bio-based and circular ingredients we aim to help customers across the construction value chain advance their sustainability objectives while contributing to a more responsible future.
THE CHALLENGE
How can manufacturers meet sustainability goals without compromising performance?
As the construction industry looks for ways to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, more sustainable sources such as renewable and bio-based materials are experiencing a spike in demand.
Bio-based solutions in particular are moving from a niche consideration to a key part of the construction value chain as they offer a viable alternative to fossil-based feedstocks and raw materials. This shift is supported by strong market momentum and an evolving regulatory framework, with mandatory carbon disclosure requirements driving demand for verified low-carbon materials, and the EU’s updated Bioeconomy Strategy identifying construction as a strategic market for bio-based materials.
For manufacturers, this transition comes with growing expectations. Companies are increasingly required to reduce source-to-factory fossil carbon emissions, meet product-level decarbonization targets, and improve supply chain traceability to support credible sustainability claims. In response, manufacturers are exploring new ways to reduce the environmental impact of their products while maintaining the performance, quality, and reliability expected by the market.
THE SOLUTION
Can bio-based acrylic emulsions enhance sustainability while maintaining performance?
To help construction manufacturers address these challenges, Dow offers a portfolio of selected bio-based PRIMAL™ and RHOPLEX™ Acrylic Emulsion grades for caulk, sealant, and fiber-bonding applications designed for seamless integration into existing formulations.
These selected products offer an alternative to fossil-based acrylics without requiring changes to formulation or processes and deliver performance comparable to conventional acrylics, helping maintain the workability, durability, consistency, and quality required for demanding construction applications.
At the core of this portfolio is a physical segregation approach, in which bio-based and conventional raw materials are kept separate throughout the supply chain until production. This helps ensure that bio-based content remains traceable and verifiable, providing greater transparency on the origin of renewable inputs and supporting more robust sustainability claims.
Building on this traceable supply chain model, the portfolio incorporates renewable raw materials derived from plant-based sources. Depending on the product grade, bio-based carbon content ranges from 21% to 37%, contributing to a product carbon footprint that can be up to 29% lower than comparable fossil-based alternatives. This can help manufacturers reduce source-to-factory fossil carbon emissions while increasing the use of renewable resources.
Transitioning to more sustainable materials doesn’t have to be complex, but it will require greater collaboration, transparency, and innovation across the construction industry. While no single solution can address every challenge, incremental advances across materials, processes, resource consumption, and supply chains can collectively contribute to meaningful progress toward a lower-carbon future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bio-based acrylic emulsions are water-based polymer dispersions that incorporate renewable, plant-derived raw materials as an alternative to a portion of conventional fossil-based inputs. They can be used as binders in construction chemical applications such as caulks, sealants, and fiber-bonding.
The selected PRIMAL™ and RHOPLEX™ Acrylic Emulsion grades described in the article are intended for caulk, sealant, and fiber-bonding applications. The appropriate grade will depend on the formulation, application, and required performance characteristics.
The selected products are described as providing performance comparable to conventional acrylic emulsions, helping maintain workability, durability, consistency and quality in demanding construction applications. Product-specific testing is still important when selecting a grade for a particular formulation.
The portfolio is designed for seamless integration into existing formulations without requiring changes to established formulation or production processes. Manufacturers should nevertheless conduct normal application and performance validation for the selected product grade.
Physical segregation means that bio-based and conventional raw materials are kept separate through the supply chain until production. This approach helps preserve the traceability of renewable inputs and supports verification of bio-based content.
Depending on the product grade, the selected acrylic emulsions contain between 21% and 37% bio-based carbon.
Replacing a portion of fossil-based raw materials with renewable inputs can reduce the fossil-carbon contribution associated with the product. The article states that selected grades can achieve a product carbon footprint up to 29% lower than comparable fossil-based alternatives. The precise reduction depends on the product grade, comparison basis, and calculation methodology.
Bio-based content comes from renewable biological sources, such as plant-derived raw materials. Recycled content comes from materials recovered and reprocessed from a previous use or waste stream. A product may contain one, both or neither, so the terms should not be used interchangeably.
Traceability provides documentation about the origin and movement of renewable inputs through the supply chain. Maintaining physical separation can help manufacturers substantiate bio-based-content claims more clearly and communicate those claims with greater transparency.
Customers can review Dow’s selected portfolio of bio-based PRIMAL™ and RHOPLEX™ Acrylic Emulsions and its broader range of bio-based, resource-efficient and lower-carbon solutions for construction chemicals through the product and construction-sustainability resources linked in the article.
About the article
This case study was developed by a cross-discipline team representing sustainability, materials, and market expertise. To learn more about our sustainable materials for the construction industry, take a deeper look at Dow Construction Chemical’s portfolio of bio-based, resource efficient, and lower-carbon solutions.