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Colombian company Glasst is finally launching its removable paint Unpaint, developed with patented materials and announced more than two years ago. Its founder and CEO, Juan Camilo Botero, revealed to Forbes that it will be available initially in the United States, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

Imagine painting your living room red for the holiday season and then, when you're done, simply peeling off the paint as if it were a sticker. That's how practical Glasst's removable paint is, a Colombian company that has been developing this proposal for years with patented materials for the construction sector and is finally launching it on the market.

“We have a resin patent that makes this possible,” explains in an interview with Forbes, Juan Camilo Botero, founder of Glasst. ”Since I thought Glasst, I thought it could be a global company. What does one want a removable paint for? What it's going to be is that if the consumer wants to have a Halloween party and paint his house orange, he can do it, or if he wants to paint a table black, then you remove it as if it were a tablecloth. It's a paint that can be smeared anywhere beyond the wall, except on textiles.”

This paint will begin to be sold in the United States this month under the Unpaint brand, in channels such as Amazon, Lowe's and Orgill, while in Colombia it will be cobranded with Homecenter. Mexico and Peru will be the next markets where this product will land in the first quarter of 2025.

Glasst, based in Medellin, was founded by Juan Camilo Botero in 2018 and since then has developed, with a raw material from a plant, a liquid polymer of vegetable origin with physical properties that they called Glasstommer, a patented technology that has allowed them to develop products such as removable paint, a universal protector and a concrete release agent. 

The universal protector, for example, generates removable films to protect various surfaces, while the concrete release agent is used in casting in civil works to prevent concrete from adhering to the formworks (the molds in which it is poured).

With a team of 37 people, Glasst has its own factories for production. From Colombia and Mexico, Glasst manages to produce and distribute its products, taking advantage of the infrastructure of the second largest paint producer in Mexico, to reach even the U.S. market.

This strategy allows them to concentrate on innovation and development of patented technologies without the high costs of their own industrial production. Botero highlights the environmental relevance of its removable paint, Unpaint, which contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions, achieving “decarbonization of at least 11 kg of CO2 for every kilo of paint used”. 

In addition, it emphasizes the opportunity represented by the single-use plastics law for its universal protector, indispensable in modern constructions that seek more sustainable solutions.

Unpaint's reach is not limited to temporary home decoration. Botero envisions applications in the real estate sector, where agents and owners can use this removable paint to modify the colors of spaces according to the type of client or for staging properties without the need to repaint at the end of each visit. In addition, the entertainment industry could benefit greatly, as production designers in film and theater would have the ability to transform sets with ease, avoiding the use of traditional painting techniques that are time-consuming and wasteful.

According to Glasst, the balance between durability and ease of removal was one of the biggest challenges during the research and development phase. The paint had to be tough enough to adhere to surfaces such as wood, metal and drywall without accidentally peeling off.

At the same time, however, it had to be removable without damaging the original surface. This balance was achieved after extensive testing to ensure that the paint would remain in place until the user decided to remove it intentionally, something they were able to master after years of testing.

Meanwhile, Glasst has a gem ready for next year called Termglasst, a product that promises to be useful for temperature control in homes. 
“This product, when applied to the wall, can increase or decrease the temperature by up to 10 degrees Celsius,” anticipated Botero.

Fuente: José Caparroso | noviembre 7, 2024 @ 8:11:45 am

https://forbes.co/2024/11/07/emprendedores/glasst-pintura-removible-creada-en-colombia-que-busca-conquistar-estados-unidos

 

Considering changing the color of your walls but don't want to commit to a permanent paint job? With Glasst's new Unpaint temporary paint, you can enjoy a color change without the traditional hassle. Discover how this innovative paint can flexibly and easily transform your home.

What is Unpaint? Unpaint is an alternative to conventional paint developed by Glasst. Using standard painting tools such as brushes, rollers or sprayers, this paint can be applied to walls on a temporary basis. After a few days, it can be easily removed without sanding or solvents.

Glasstommer Technology: The key to Unpaint is Glasstommer technology, an invention of the Colombian company Glasst. This technology converts a liquid material into a thin removable film. Although the exact composition is secret, it is known to contain a “biodegradable elastic component” that allows the paint to be removed easily, similar to peeling an adhesive.

Application and Use of Unpaint: For best results with Unpaint, it is recommended to apply two to three coats, allowing up to one hour of drying time between each coat. The material takes approximately 24 hours to dry completely. Once dry, it can be easily removed by pinching off a small area and peeling it off like the protective plastic of new electronics.

Advantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages: Ideal for tenants and for customizing spaces on a temporary basis, such as during the holidays. Can be used on a variety of surfaces such as concrete, marble, wood, metal, glass, granite, brick, stucco and some fabrics.

Cons: It is not as durable as traditional paint and is more susceptible to scratches. Also, although it is biodegradable, the degradation process begins about 12 months after application.

Availability and Pricing: Unpaint is already available in Colombia and now also in the U.S. The price for a quart is $29.98, while a full gallon costs $59.98. Although more expensive than basic interior paint, it offers a unique solution for those looking for flexibility in interior decorating.

If you're looking for a temporary solution to change the color of your walls without the hassle, Glasst's Unpaint could be the perfect choice. Ideal for renters and seasonal decorating enthusiasts, this paint offers an innovative and flexible way to transform your spaces.

Source: Tecno futuro ver más

 

Glasst, a Colombian technology company, developed an alternative to paint that can be applied with standard tools such as brushes, rollers or even sprayers, but not permanently. It is Unpaint, a paint that can be peeled off the wall when you want to change color. 

Unpaint uses the Medellin, Colombia-based company's patented Glasstommer technology, which allows a liquid material applied quickly to become a thin, removable film. 

According to the company, the paint's composition is a 'biodegradable elastic component' that dries to create a film that removes as easily as peeling an adhesive.
More from Unpaint  Glasstommer technology was originally developed as an easier way to protect delicate surfaces such as windows, tiles or even countertops from damage during construction or renovations. 

Glasst says its Unpaint is just as easy to use, although the company recommends applying two to three coats with up to an hour of drying time after each for best results. 

The material takes about 24 hours to dry completely, at which point it can be removed by grabbing a small area with a pinch and then peeling it off similar to the protective plastic applied to new electronics.

According to the company, Glasst says the Unpaint material will naturally biodegrade after a few years when peeled off and discarded. The paint can be used on a variety of surfaces, such as concrete, marble, wood, metal, glass, granite, brick, stucco and even some fabrics if you want your leather sofa to match your freshly painted walls. The product is already available in Colombia, but Glasst is now selling its Unpaint in the United States.

Fuente: Soramir Torres Sep 12, 2024, COLOMBIA

https://folou.co/colombia/unpaint-pintura-temporal/

 

 

The door of Juan Botero’s apartment in Houston, Texas is made of wood – with a classy, walnut-like finish.

But, for Halloween, he planned an eye-catching change. “I’m going to paint my door orange,” Mr Botero, founder and chief executive of Colombia-based Glasst, told the BBC last month. And he has kept his promise.

However, the move is not as drastic as it sounds. Mr Botero’s firm, an “innovation company”, has designed the paint to be removable – once dry, you can peel it off like plastic wrap. If it works as intended, it shouldn’t leave behind any marks or residue.

Mr Botero had the idea for the product, called Unpaint, about five years ago and, initially, his investors weren’t keen. “They said I was crazy,” he recalls. Nevertheless, he insisted: “People are looking for customisation in their lives.”

Glasst is just one of many firms that claim house paint can do more than look nice. Various products now on the market, their makers promise, will save you money, keep you comfortable during heatwaves, or transform your relationship with the walls of your home. But is it all too good to be true?

Unpaint is due to launch in the US this November, and Mr Botero is convinced that there is a market for the stuff. He argues it will appeal to people living in rented accommodation, who can’t make permanent changes to their decor.

Glasst, unsurprisingly, declines to share details about how it makes the paint, but Mr Botero says it is a resin from a renewable source. I ask if he means trees and he confirms.

Peelable paint already exists for car bodywork, but getting such a product to work reliably on softer home interiors is more challenging.

There is a risk of damaging your existing, underlying paint when you eventually wrest Unpaint off your walls, but, if the permanent paint below is in good condition, this shouldn’t happen, says Mr Botero.

It does have an odd texture: “A little bit rubbery," says Mr Botero. Plus, it is easier to scratch than water-based emulsion.

Bringing the product to market hasn’t been easy. Glasst posted a video about the paint to YouTube two years ago, but the launch was delayed until this year “to align with the correct funding and resources needed,” says Mr Botero.

He mentions that Glasst is working on other coatings with unusual properties – including “Thermglasst”, an insulating resin due to launch next year. Mr Botero claims that less than a millimetre of this coating will provide the same insulating effect as 40 millimetres of foam.

There’s no independent validation of that claim just yet, but there are already a range of insulating paints on the market that promise to reduce your heating bills and, it is fair to note, they have not always performed well in scientific evaluations.

In 2019, Richard Fitton of the University of Salford and colleagues published a paper in which they investigated the efficacy of six thermal paints available on the UK market at the time. In short, they found that claims that such paints could reduce heating bills by up to 20% or 25% were impossible to validate.

First, the researchers coated boards with the paints, which allowed them to measure the coatings’ thermal resistance, or insulating values. Then, the team calculated the reduction in heating costs you would expect after applying each of these paints to the interior of a typical Victorian terraced house.

The biggest cost saving measured was a mere 2.9%, and, given the price of the paints in question, homeowners would potentially have to wait centuries or even up to a millennium – at 2019 prices – before they would recoup the decorating fees in terms of reduced heating costs.

“If someone brought me a paint that could save me 25% of my energy bill, it would be on my wall by the weekend,” says Prof Fitton. He adds that he is currently working on a follow-up paper to the 2019 study, and would also be open to testing Thermglasst, or any other insulating paint, in the future.

Paints that help to keep your house cool might be more effective. For years, researchers have pursued the idea of improving the reflectivity of paint on exterior walls or roofs, since this could help keep buildings cool on hot, sunny days. Such weather is becoming ever more common due to climate change.

The principle is as old as the hills – consider the white painted houses of the Mediterranean. But paints designed to be significantly more reflective than standard white paint could heighten the effect. i2Cool in Hong Kong is one of several firms marketing such a product at present.

In their case, the paint contains tiny nanoparticles inspired by the extremely reflective body of the Saharan silver ant – which must naturally cope with baking sunshine.

Martin Zhu, chief executive and co-founder, says the paint made by i2Cool was tested on the roof of a shopping mall in Hong Kong – but only on one of its two buildings, in order to find out whether there was a noticeable effect in terms of reducing the costs of running that building’s air conditioning (AC).

“We used a power meter to measure the energy consumption of the AC system,” says Dr Zhu. The cost of running the AC duly fell in the painted building, by 40%, he adds.

Dr Zhu first began working on the paint while a doctoral student, and he mentions that early versions made around 2017 contained silver, which made it very expensive – more than $100,000 just to cover a small area. Years of development later, it now costs around $10 per square metre of coverage. It also now comes in a variety of light colours, including grey, yellow and green.

Researchers have noted that highly reflective coatings for passive cooling applications need to be resistant to dirt and soiling, for example, to avoid their efficacy dropping overt time. And glare from ultra-reflective roofs risks heating up nearby darker structures, a 2020 paper suggested.

The paint from i2Cool does not contain heavy metals and uses a water-based emulsion, and while it is not biodegradable, it can be recycled, says Dr Zhu.

The company’s latest major project is the Dubai Mall. The roof of this sprawling complex – the largest mall in the world by total area – will eventually be fully coated with the paint. A 1,000 sq m section has been completed to date.

While not yet available in Europe, that could change, says Dr Zhu. “We are discussing with some distributors in the UK,” he says.

Fuente: Chris Baraniuk Technology Reporter

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce817156p34o

Artículo 6:

Titulo: La pintura removible creada en Colombia que busca conquistar Estados Unidos

Contenido: La compañía colombiana Glasst finalmente lanza su pintura removible Unpaint, desarrollada con materiales patentados y anunciada desde hace más de dos años. Su fundador y CEO, Juan Camilo Botero, reveló a Forbes que estará disponible inicialmente en Estados Unidos, Colombia, México y Perú.

Imagine pintar la sala de su casa de rojo para la temporada navideña y luego, cuando termine, simplemente retirar la pintura despegándola como si fuera un sticker. Así de práctica es la pintura removible de Glasst, una compañía colombiana que lleva años desarrollando esta propuesta con materiales patentados para el sector de la construcción y que finalmente está lanzando al mercado.

“Tenemos una patente de resina que hace esto posible”, explica en una entrevista con Forbes, Juan Camilo Botero, fundador de Glasst. “Desde que pensé Glasst, pensé que podía ser una compañía global. ¿Uno para qué quiere una pintura removible? Lo que va a ser es que si el consumidor quiere hacer una fiesta de Halloween y pintar su casa de naranja lo pueda hacer o si quiere pintar una mesa de negro, después la quitas como si fuera un mantel. Es una pintura quese puede untar en cualquier parte más allá de la pared, excepto en textiles”.

Esta pintura se empezará a vender en Estados Unidos este mes con la marca Unpaint, en canales como Amazon, Lowe’s y Orgill, mientras que en Colombia tendrá un cobranding con Homecenter. México y Perú serían los próximo mercados a los que aterrizará este producto, en el primer trimestre de 2025.

Glasst, con sede en Medellín, fue fundada por Juan Camilo Botero en 2018 y desde entonces ha desarrollado, con una materia prima de una planta, un polímero líquido de origen vegetal con propiedades físicas que llamaron Glasstommer, una tecnología patentada que les ha permitido desarrollas productos como la pintura removible, un protector universal y un desmoldante de concreto. 

El protector universal, por ejemplo, genera películas removibles para proteger diversas superficies, mientras que el desmoldante de concreto se emplea en la fundición en obras civiles para evitar que el concreto se adhiera a las formaletas (los moldes en los que se vierte). 

Con un equipo de 37 personas, Glasst tiene fábricas propias para producir. Desde Colombia y México, Glasst logra producir y distribuir sus productos, aprovechando la infraestructura del segundo mayor productor de pintura en México, para llegar incluso al mercado estadounidense. Esta estrategia les permite concentrarse en la innovación y desarrollo de tecnologías patentadas sin los altos costos de una producción industrial propia.

Botero resalta la relevancia ambiental de su pintura removible, Unpaint, que contribuye a la reducción de emisiones de carbono, logrando “descarbonizar menos 11 kg de CO2 por cada kilo de pintura usado”.

Además, enfatiza la oportunidad que representa la ley de plásticos de un solo uso para su protector universal, indispensable en las construcciones modernas que buscan soluciones más sustentables.

El alcance de Unpaint no se limita a la decoración temporal en el hogar. Botero visualiza aplicaciones en el sector inmobiliario, donde agentes y propietarios pueden utilizar esta pintura removible para modificar los colores de los espacios según el tipo de cliente o para staging de propiedades sin necesidad de repintar al finalizar cada visita. Además, la industria del entretenimiento podría beneficiarse enormemente, ya que diseñadores de producción en cine y teatro tendrían la capacidad de transformar los sets con facilidad, evitando el uso de técnicas de pintura tradicional que requieren tiempo y generan residuos.

De acuerdo con Glasst, el equilibrio entre la durabilidad y la facilidad de remoción fue uno de los retos más grandes durante la fase de investigación y desarrollo. La pintura debía ser lo suficientemente resistente para adherirse a superficies como madera, metal y drywall, sin despegarse por accidente.

Sin embargo, al mismo tiempo, debía poder retirarse sin dañar la superficie original. Este balance se consiguió tras extensas pruebas que aseguraron que la pintura se mantendría en su lugar hasta que el usuario decidiera retirarla de manera intencional, algo que pudieron dominar tras años de pruebas.

Entre tanto, Glasst tiene preparada para el próximo año una joya llamada Termglasst, un producto que promete ser útil para el control de temperatura en los hogares. 

“Este producto, al aplicarse a la pared, puede aumentar o disminuir la temperatura en hasta 10 grados centígrados”, anticipó Botero.

Fuente: José Caparroso | noviembre 7, 2024 @ 8:11:45 am

https://forbes.co/2024/11/07/emprendedores/glasst-pintura-removible-creada-en-colombia-que-busca-conquistar-estados-unidos

 

Unpaint is formulated to peel directly off a variety of surfaces
US firm Glasst Innovation Company has launched the "world's first peelable architectural paint", which can be applied to a range of surfaces and peeled off by hand.

Designed to create a versatile solution for redecorating, Unpaint by Glasst Innovation Company aims to provide a temporary and more sustainable alternative to traditional paints, as it can be peeled off by hand at the end of its use.

"The concept behind Unpaint is to redefine paint as a flexible, non-committal coating that empowers users to transform their spaces easily," Glasst Innovation Company CEO Juan Camilo Botero told Dezeen.

"Designed to be temporary and peelable, it offers an alternative to traditional paint for those who want to experiment with color, design, and finish without permanence or hassle."

Intended for temporary or short-term applications, Unpaint, which the company claims is "the world's first peelable architectural paint", can be applied to a range of surfaces using the same method as traditional paint.

This includes hard, sealed surfaces such as leather and wood; however, it is not suitable for textiles or fabrics.

Once applied, the product dries to a film-like layer that can last up to 10 months before being peeled off or naturally decomposing without damaging the surface underneath.

Aiming to offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional paint, Glasst Innovation Company designed Unpaint to be 100 per cent biodegradable.

"Our focus is on creating negative carbon footprint products that empower users to easily and sustainably transform their spaces while contributing to a more circular economy," Botero said.

"The product naturally decomposes within 12 months in domestic composting conditions," he added. "The only non-biodegradable part is the mineral-based colorant, which remains in a natural, non-toxic form after the paint decomposes."

According to the company, the paint also has a "net-negative" carbon impact.

"Unpaint is a carbon-negative product, meaning it removes more CO2 from the environment than it emits during its entire lifecycle," Botero said.

"Specifically, for every kilogram of Unpaint produced and used, we remove 11 kilograms of CO2 from the atmosphere, leading to a net-negative carbon impact."

The Glasst Innovation Company is a material and technology innovation company based in Medellin and founded by Botero in 2018.

Other biodegradable materials recently featured on Dezeen include table made from mycelium and inset with openings for custom glassware and a series of gadgets designed to dissolve in water to tackle e-waste.   

The photography is courtesy of Glasst Innovation Company.

Fuente: by Starr Charles | 8 October 2024  2 comments

https://www.dezeen.com/2024/10/08/glasst-innovation-company-unpaint/

 

In 1968, a failed adhesive formula developed at 3M resulted in tiny yellow notepads whose individual papers could stick just about anywhere. The Post-it note is perhaps the most popular of all the genius accidental products that have become staples of our lives, but there are others, too—from penicillin to Velcro to superglue. Now, there’s another to add to the list.

A Colombian company called Glasst Innovation made an unexpected discovery that led to the creation of Unpaint—a peelable paint that can adhere to any surface and be removed by hand, without any tools or chemicals, and without leaving any residue behind.

Juan Camilo Botero, CEO of Glasst Innovation, tells me in an email interview how Unpaint came to life. Originally, the company’s research team was on a quest to find a biodegradable replacement for single-use plastics in the construction sector. They wanted it to be made from renewable and carbon-negative sources, to reduce the environmental footprint of construction materials. After years of hard work, they found something else: a liquid plant-based polymer with some truly unique physical properties. They called it Glasstommer. 

“Our journey toward identifying the right natural and renewable sources involved extensive R&D, collaborating with agricultural sectors to find biodegradable and carbon-negative alternatives,” Botero tells me. “Serendipity also played a role […] we realized its potential to form the basis of a peelable paint, which ultimately led to the creation of Unpaint.”

Paint anything, unpaint, repeat

According to Botero, Unpaint works like regular paint. “One of the biggest challenges of Unpaint was balancing durability and peel-ability,” he says. The paint needed to stick well enough to surfaces like wood, metal, and drywall, yet remain easy to remove without damaging those surfaces. After extensive research and development, he claims, the formula was perfected, achieving this delicate balance. “It adheres securely to the surface and will not peel off without deliberate effort, but it can be removed with ease when the time comes,” he adds.

Renters, long shackled by the restrictions of landlords, can now paint their walls in any color without fear of penalties or lost deposits. They can transform their space, and when their lease ends, simply peel the paint away—no need for professional repainting because there’s nothing left behind. 

Beyond home walls, Unpaint opens up possibilities for seasonal decorations. For those who love to change their décor for holidays like Halloween or Christmas, you can use Unpaint to turn your kid’s room into a seasonal wonderland. Walls, furniture, and even windows can be customized for the season and effortlessly returned to their original state.

For professionals, the applications of Unpaint stretch even further. Real estate agents can use it to stage homes with different color schemes for various showings, knowing that they can “reset” the house when they sell the home. Film and theater production designers, too, could find Unpaint invaluable for set design, allowing them to quickly change backdrops, props, and scenery as needed without the hassle of long-term paint removal.

Environmentally conscious

Botero says that Unpaint is environmentally friendly—a byproduct of the original product development mission. He claims it uses a carbon-negative production process that offsets 24 pounds of CO2 for every pound of paint produced, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional paints. “This reduction is due to its renewable and biodegradable composition,” Botero points out.

Not only is it carbon-negative, but it also complies with California’s Proposition 65, which enforces strict VOC emission regulations. His team at Glasst Innovation developed an ultra-low VOC formulation without sacrificing any of the performance.

Botero acknowledges that, like any product, Unpaint has limitations. While it performs consistently well under normal indoor conditions, environments with high humidity—like steam rooms—can affect its drying time, although adhesion remains strong. High-traffic areas where surfaces are frequently scratched or exposed to sharp objects may also cause partial peeling, but the paint won’t come off without deliberate removal.

The other limitation is that the paint is not designed for outdoor application. Sure, it can survive a Halloween front yard montage, but it won’t allow you to paint your home’s façade and have it last for years. The company is working to expand the use of Unpaint beyond indoor settings, though. “We’re actively expanding Unpaint into exterior paint applications, maintaining the same level of flexibility and environmental benefits,” Botero says. 

The other cool byproduct of the invention is that the company is preparing to launch a retail sample program, replacing traditional paint swatches with peelable samples that enable customers to test colors on their walls before committing to a full application. This innovation aligns with the company’s mission to reduce waste and offer more sustainable options in the paint industry.

Unpaint is now available directly from Glasst Innovation’s website, starting at $30 for a quarter gallon and $60 for a gallon. The color palette is wide, with dozens of colors and the option to mix them to create custom shades. If it works as well as Botero claims, this accidental genius invention may actually become as ubiquitous as Post-its.

Fuente: Fast Company BY Jesus Diaz, who is a screenwriter and producer whose latest work includes the mini-documentary series Control Z: The Future to Undo, the futurist daily Novaceno, and the book The Secrets of Lego House. 

https://www.fastcompany.com/91194858/unpaint-peel-off-paint-accidental-discovery