Keeping it Cool-it

KEIM’s innovative COOLIT® paint is engineered to reduce heat absorption, resulting in cooler surfaces.

As our cities heat up, the way we design and finish buildings matters more than ever. Materials are no longer just aesthetic decisions. They directly influence thermal performance, energy use and long-term durability.

COOLIT® by KEIM is a mineral paint engineered with this in mind. It is designed to reduce heat absorption at the surface level, helping buildings stay cooler, perform better and last longer.

Chroma House, France

What makes COOLIT® different

At its core, COOLIT® is about managing solar heat before it becomes a problem.

Using specialised infrared-reflective pigments, the coating reflects a greater portion of solar radiation away from the surface. This is particularly important in darker colour palettes, where conventional paints tend to absorb and retain heat.

The result is simple but powerful. Lower surface temperatures.

That reduction flows through to the building as a whole.

• Less heat transferred into the substrate

• Reduced thermal stress on façades

• More stable internal temperatures

• Lower reliance on mechanical cooling

Over time, this contributes to better-performing buildings with lower operational demands.

Perfect for Australian conditions

In the Australian climate, façades are constantly exposed to intense UV radiation, temperature swings and weather extremes. Many coatings struggle under these conditions, leading to fading, cracking or failure. COOLIT® approaches durability differently.

As a mineral paint, it bonds to mineral substrates through silicification. Rather than forming a film that sits on the surface, it becomes part of it. This creates a finish that will not peel or blister and maintains its integrity over decades.

Combined with UV-stable inorganic pigments, the colour remains true over time, even under harsh sun exposure. The outcome is a façade that holds both its performance and its appearance with minimal maintenance.

Cooler surfaces, longer lifespans

Heat is one of the biggest contributors to material fatigue. Repeated expansion and contraction can accelerate cracking, degradation and coating failure.

By reducing surface temperatures, COOLIT® helps ease this cycle.

This has a compounding effect:

• Less movement in the substrate

• Reduced risk of microcracking

• Extended lifespan of the coating system

• Lower maintenance requirements over time

It is not just about keeping buildings cool. It is about protecting them.

Healthy materials by design

Performance should not come at the cost of environmental or occupant health.

COOLIT® is formulated using naturally occurring minerals, fillers and pigments. It contains:

• No biocides

• No solvents

• No plasticisers

• Zero VOCs

This makes it a considered choice for projects prioritising low-toxicity materials and healthier built environments.

It is also Cradle to Cradle Certified, supporting circular design principles and responsible material selection.

A finish architects actually want to use

There is often a trade-off between performance and aesthetics. COOLIT® avoids this.

It delivers the distinctive mineral matte finish that architects value, with depth and softness that cannot be replicated by acrylic coatings. At the same time, it enables darker colours to be used more confidently in exposed environments.

This opens up design possibilities without compromising on thermal performance.

Backed by proven mineral technology

COOLIT® is not a standalone innovation. It sits within KEIM’s broader mineral paint system, backed by more than 140 years of development and real-world performance.

With a 25-year warranty and a track record across demanding environments globally, it offers confidence not just at specification stage, but across the lifecycle of the building.

A smarter way forward

As expectations on buildings continue to shift, materials need to do more.

COOLIT® responds to this by addressing heat at the source. It reduces surface temperatures, supports energy efficiency, protects façades and contributes to healthier environments, all while delivering a refined architectural finish.

It is a simple shift in thinking.

Not just paint as colour, but paint as performance.