As rising temperatures intensify across Indian cities and towns, Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited is testing heat-mitigation solutions in public spaces by applying a specialised coating on temple pathways, reducing surface temperatures by up to 15°C. The initiative, carried out across high-footfall religious sites in southern India, reflects a growing intersection between climate-responsive materials and everyday urban infrastructure.
The company deployed its heat-reflective coating, Perma NoHeat, on stone pathways commonly used by barefoot visitors. On-ground readings indicated a significant drop in surface heat, improving comfort for pedestrians navigating exposed areas during peak daytime hours. This is particularly relevant in India, where heatwaves are becoming more frequent and public spaces often lack adaptive cooling interventions.Unlike traditional product demonstrations, the application was integrated into real-world settings, allowing users to experience the benefits directly. The intervention was carried out in coordination with local authorities to minimise disruption while targeting zones with maximum footfall and heat exposure. Urban planners view such experiments as early indicators of how material innovation could play a role in climate-resilient infrastructure. Heat-retaining surfaces such as concrete and stone contribute significantly to the urban heat island effect, where built environments register higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. Coatings that reflect solar radiation and reduce heat absorption are increasingly being explored as low-cost, scalable solutions.Perma NoHeat, an acrylic-based coating designed to reflect infrared radiation, has primarily been marketed for rooftops and building exteriors.
However, its application in shared public spaces highlights a broader potential use case—cooling pedestrian infrastructure, transport hubs, and open plazas where thermal discomfort directly affects daily mobility. The initiative also signals a shift in how construction-linked industries are responding to climate stress. As India expands its urban footprint, the need for passive cooling strategies—those that reduce heat without energy consumption—is becoming more urgent. Experts note that while technologies such as reflective coatings cannot replace large-scale climate adaptation measures, they can complement urban planning efforts by addressing micro-level heat exposure.From a civic perspective, the implications are immediate. Public spaces such as temple pathways, markets, and transit areas often see high pedestrian density, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly. Reducing surface temperatures in such areas can improve accessibility, safety, and overall user experience, especially during extreme weather conditions.At the same time, the initiative raises broader questions about scalability and governance. For such solutions to move beyond pilot interventions, integration into municipal planning frameworks and building codes may be necessary. Cost, maintenance, and long-term performance will also determine adoption across cities.
As Indian cities confront rising heat risks, the focus is gradually shifting from reactive cooling—such as air conditioning—to preventive design interventions embedded within the built environment. Experiments like these suggest that materials innovation could become a key lever in shaping more climate-resilient, people-centric urban spaces.
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Kansai Nerolac solution cools public temple pathways
