The use of natural additives often requires special attention when developing and formulating coating formulations. Using bio-based additives is the right step in terms of sustainability, protecting people and the environment and conserving resources. To ensure that the bio-based coatings to be developed have an identical property profile to their petrochemical twins, slight modifications to the formulation may sometimes be necessary. In most cases, however, a 1:1 replacement is not always possible. Instead, the alternative approach of developing a new formulation adapted for bio-based additives is usually the best and most effective approach. An important reason for this is the correct design of all coating components and the coordination of all ingredients.

Therefore this article aims to show the different ways in which natural additives can be incorporated, using suitable theoretical models to explain them in more detail. Different approaches will be discussed, such as classic additivation as an unbound additive within the coating matrix as well as the direct and indirect incorporation of additives into the binder. In all theories, reference should be made to the effect of technical coating properties such as resistance or antimicrobial effect.

Special features that occur in practice are outlined depending on the results and compared with the relevant models. A short summary rounds off the article.