LONDON - DuPont Refinish will discontinue the inclusion of leaded pigments in all of its refinish paint products by the end of 2012. All passenger car formulas have already been converted, while all remaining commercial-vehicle lead-containing topcoats – Centari^® MasterTint^® and Imron^® PowerTint^® ranges - are in the process of being phased out and converted to lead-free formulas so that bodyshops will immediately have access to alternatives.

Linda Van Calster, DuPont Refinish Marketing Communications Manager EMEA, said, “Whilst the use of leaded pigments was discontinued in the OEM arena a number of years ago, customer demand and the perceived benefits of lead pigments in the industrial and refinish segments have meant supply has continued. With our strong links to our parent company, DuPont, it is important to reinforce its core direction of sustainable growth coupled with a promise to safety, health and environmental excellence. The new lead-free alternatives are being published through our color retrieval Web site weekly updates.”