8 Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Paint Materials in India You Should Know About

Have you ever considered how much time we spend surrounded by our home walls? Approximately 90%! When it comes to crafting a space that truly feels like home, our choices can have a profound impact on both our well-being and the environment. The way we decorate and maintain our homes reflects our personal style and values, but one important aspect of home improvement often overlooked is the type of paint we use.

While traditional paints offer a wide variety of colors and finishes, they often come with hidden dangers. Many of these paints contain harmful chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and chromium. These substances not only affect the air quality inside our homes but can also pose significant health risks over time. 

Fortunately, eco-friendly paints provide a safer and more sustainable alternative. Free from hazardous chemicals like VOCs and heavy metals, these non-toxic options help reduce indoor air pollution and minimize environmental harm. The term "eco-friendly paints" encompasses a range of products designed with both human health and ecological well-being in mind.

As people are becoming more aware of environmental issues, the demand for eco-friendly paints is also increasing. Both consumers and companies are increasingly seeking sustainable options, and the paint industry is no exception. In India, this shift toward eco-friendly paints is gaining significant momentum. These paints not only offer health and environmental benefits but also provide aesthetic appeal, making them a popular choice for homes and commercial spaces alike.

Let’s take a closer look at eco-friendly paint brands available in India. 

Categories of eco-friendly paints available in India:

1. Zero-VOC Paints

These contain minimal VOC levels—less than 5 grams per liter—making them excellent for maintaining indoor air quality.

2. Low-VOC Paints

These have VOC concentrations between 5 and 200 grams per liter, offering a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional paints.

3. Natural Paints

Made from renewable materials like tree resins, water, and natural dyes, these paints are completely free of VOCs. Water-based options are typically odorless, while oil-based versions may have a mild scent.

Selecting any of the above categories will help you to optimize your space while promoting better air quality and reducing environmental impact.

Eco-Friendly Paint Brands in India

Now, we will explore what are some of the brands offering eco-friendly paints in India.

1. Nilaya by Asian Paints

Asian Paints, India’s largest paint company, offers a wide range of products catering to personal, industrial, and automotive needs. In September 2019, at the AD Design Show in Mumbai, they launched Nilaya Naturals, announced as India’s first line of organic paints. 

Nilaya by Asian Paints, has been transforming walls with an exquisite range of wallcoverings, decals, borders, and paintable wallpapers. Now, it proudly introduces Nilaya Naturals, an innovative organic paint that is the first of its kind globally.

Formulated with over 95% natural ingredients, Nilaya Naturals is both earth-friendly and durable, creating breathable layers while emanating a clean, fresh scent. Its thoughtfully curated color palette features a unique blend of pigments sourced from around the world, offering tonal perfection.

Asian Paints claims that, “Nilaya Naturals comes in over 300 shades, each color is velvety with subtle hints of richness. With a rich symphony of tones tha int brim with character, each shade is very much like those found amongst nature.”

Unlike traditional paint products, Nilaya Naturals provides a vintage-inspired finish that is beautifully matte and deepens in character over time. Whether used as a backdrop for artwork or as a stunning feature wall, Nilaya Naturals is the perfect enhancement for any home.

2. Silk Breathe easy by Berger Paints

Berger Paints, a leading brand in India, has launched its Green Horizon initiative to promote sustainability. They have removed lead, mercury, and chromium from their products, while significantly lowering VOCs and aromatic compounds to eliminate any negative health effects. The Silk - Breathe easy product by this brand  is crafted with 100% acrylic emulsions and vibrant pigments, ensuring low VOC levels and reduced formaldehyde. Additionally, these paints are anti-infection, anti-pollution, and anti-bacterial, receiving certification from the Singapore Green Label.

Along with its eco-friendly benefits, Breathe Easy Emulsions offers a vibrant range of colors, such as Silk Glamor High Sheen, Silk Glamor Matt, Silk Glamor Soft Sheen, and Silk Glamor Dazzle enabling homeowners to showcase their personal style while making a sustainable choice.

Berger Silk Breathe Easy effectively reduces indoor air pollutants, earning both Singapore Green Label Certification and approval from the Indian Medical Association.

3. Dulux India

Committed to creating a greener tomorrow, the company adheres to the highest environmental standards by reducing VOC content in its paints. By replacing traditional solvents with water, Dulux aims to improve air quality, ensuring that the air in homes is as fresh as possible.

Every stroke of their non-toxic paints embodies a promise of safety, sustainability, and a future where every color is as kind to the planet as it is beautiful on walls.

Dulux proudly introduces its innovative Pure Air Technology, which transforms walls into giant air purifiers. By harnessing natural ingredients, this technology breathes fresh air into living spaces.

Dulux paints blend active bamboo charcoal and tea tree oil, allowing homeowners to paint their walls while simultaneously cleansing the air. These natural elements effectively trap pollutants and refresh indoor air.

Equipped with Silver Ion Technology, Dulux's SuperClean Range offers more than just color; it serves as a shield against viruses, improving health safety at home.

4. Kansai Nerolac Impressions Eco Clean

Kansai Nerolac is one of India's leading paint and coatings companies, with a strong presence in both the industrial and decorative paint sectors. Nerolac Impressions Eco Clean is a luxurious water-based emulsion that comes with low VOC levels and nearly no odor. 

With a luxurious rich sheen, it amplifies the beauty of your spaces, while the smooth finish offers a refined texture that adds elegance to any room. Additionally, its excellent washability makes it easy to clean and maintain the freshness of your walls. 

Designed for effortless application, the outstanding flow and brushability ensure a flawless finish every time, making it an ideal choice for your home.

It is formulated for use on both new and previously painted interior surfaces, including plaster, brickwork, cement render, concrete, and hardboards. Recently, Kansai Nerolac launched a line of water-based, low-VOC paints that has the National Test House (NTH) certification. 

5. Khadi Prakritik Paint

Khadi Prakritik Paint was manufactured by Kamdhenu Natural Paints (Orgo Jivan Organics) in partnership with the Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute. This is an eco-friendly product that utilizes cow dung as their main ingredient. Developed by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), it is India’s first cow dung paint. 

Prakritik Paint is not only non-toxic but also helps fight off mold and bacteria. Approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards, it comes in two types: distemper and emulsion. This paint is budget-friendly, has no smell, and is easy to apply, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor walls with a smooth finish.

Plus, Prakritik Paint helps farmers and cow shelters earn extra income by using cow dung. It’s a great choice for anyone who cares about the environment, their health, and supporting rural communities.

6. Nippon paints

A few years ago, Nippon Paint, a leading Japanese paint manufacturer, introduced its Wellness and Hygiene range of wall paints. This innovative collection includes Nippon Paint KIDZ, Nippon Paint Odourless Aircare, Nippon Paint Satin Glo+, and Nippon Paint Satin Glo Prime. 

Designed to elevate the safety and well-being of families, these paints are especially beneficial for protecting children from bacteria, fungi, harmful chemicals, and poor air quality.

According to a statement from Nippon Paint India’s communication team, “Indoor air pollution caused by wall paints can cause big health problems among children, older adults, and people with chronic illnesses. Using healthy wall paints at home is not the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about wellness measures for the family but countless researches have shown the harmful effects of properties like formaldehyde, VOC (volatile organic compounds) and lead, which can be present in ordinary paint. 

Hence, it is important to use paints which are eco-friendly since they have low VOC content. Nippon Paint Wellness and Hygiene products have numerous properties which are backed by Advanced Japanese technology, making it the perfect choice for health and wellness needs.”

7. Indigo Green Paints

Founded in 2000, Indigo Paints has grown to become the fifth largest paint producer in India by market capitalization. Initially starting as a small manufacturer of economical cement paints, Indigo Paints has since established itself as a beacon of innovation and quality within the industry. The company offers a diverse array of advanced products, ranging from decorative paints to specialized coatings. Renowned for its integration of cutting-edge technology and commitment to sustainability, Indigo Paints is not only a market leader but also a trendsetter in eco-friendly practices, distinguishing itself in a competitive and dynamic landscape.

“Indigo Green paints’’ from this company are crafted from natural ingredients and feature low VOC levels, ensuring they are safe for both people and the environment. The company is dedicated to producing long-lasting products with vibrant colors while prioritizing eco-friendly packaging. Catering to environmentally conscious consumers across India, Indigo Paints stands out as an excellent choice for those seeking sustainable paint options, thanks to its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

8. Gaumaya Paints

Gaumaya Paints, an eco-friendly product from Gaumaya Agro Private Limited, is pioneering the use of cow dung-based emulsion paint and distemper in India. As the country’s first company to produce these innovative paints, Gaumaya Agro offers a diverse range of colors while promoting sustainable practices.  Gaumaya Paints provide numerous impressive benefits compared to traditional chemical-based paints. These eco-friendly cow dung paints are rapidly gaining popularity across India and internationally.

This eco-friendly cow dung paint has successfully passed various tests by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India's top standardization authority for non-food products and appliances. It dries within four hours and provides a smooth, uniform finish, suitable for both interior and exterior walls.

Conclusion

Eco-friendly and non-toxic paints might cost a bit more than regular paints, but they last longer and are better for your health and the environment.

The move towards low and zero-VOC paints shows that companies are recognizing consumers' growing demand for green products. It's important for consumers to understand what a green label really means. Certifications like Green Seal (internationally) and the EcoMark Scheme (in India) help identify paints that are truly eco-friendly.

Brands such as Nilaya by Asian Paints, Berger’s Silk Breathe Easy, Dulux, Kansai Nerolac, and Khadi Prakritik Paint offer innovative solutions that not only lifts the aesthetic appeal of homes but also prioritize air quality and ecological impact.

Choosing eco-friendly paints is a simple yet impactful way to create a healthier living environment while contributing to a more sustainable future. So, as you think about your next home improvement project, consider the profound benefits of going green with your paint choices.