While the most common application of paints is to improve the aesthetics of a building, paints and coatings can also play a significant role in improving its performance.While evaluating a building’s green quotient, the Indian Green Building Council allocates 6-8 points out of 100 to the use of low VoC and high solar reflective index paints, points out Naveen Akkina, Senior Counsellor (Architect) - Green Buildings, Indian Green Building Council.“We have significantly reduced the utilisation of materials (including paints) containing VoCs to reduce harmful lead-based vapours and prioritise the well-being of occupants and the environment,” says Raman Sapru, Director, Engineering & Design, Mindspace Business Parks.At present, India’s paints and coatings industry is worth Rs 62,000 crore but estimated to touch Rs 1 lakh crore in the next five years, according to paint manufacturing company Akzo Nobel India.CW highlights some of these key applications.