China develops cooling paint

Chinese scientists have developed a special cooling paint that could help reduce the need for air conditioners during hot weather.

The super cooling coating has started production in China. It is designed to keep indoor temperatures as low as 25°C during summer by reflecting heat away from buildings.

Tested in Real-World conditions

The paint was tested for six months at a factory in Henan province. The results showed that the coating could help keep indoor spaces cooler without using electricity or traditional cooling agents.

The technology uses a method called radiative cooling which works by sending heat away from a surface and reflecting much of the sun’s radiation.

No electricity needed

At the factory water sprinkler systems were normally used to help control indoor temperatures. After the cooling coating was applied, similar cooling could be achieved without using additional energy for that purpose. The coating could potentially be used on homes and public buildings, according to a report on the testing.

Large scale production planned

The paint was developed by experts from China State Construction Ecological Development Corporation and the Harbin Institute of Technology.

A production plan aims to manufacture around 600,000 tonnes of the coating each year. Researchers say the paint can continue to provide cooling even during severe heatwaves. They estimate that it could have an average lifespan of around 15 years.