[FRANCE 2] Science – The road to the future

Luminous paint to make roads safer without electricity

In Pessac, Gironde, an innovation developed by OliKrom® could transform road safety at night. The company has developed a photoluminescent paint incorporating intelligent pigments capable of capturing light during the day and returning it at night, without the need for a power supply. This patented technology makes markings visible up to 80 meters away at the start of the night, compared with just 8 meters with bicycle headlights. Used for cycle paths and potentially crosswalks or bus shelters in poorly lit areas, it offers reassuring, high-performance visual guidance.

Intelligent pigments for a wide range of applications, from roads to aeronautics

The pigments developed by OliKrom® react to temperature, light or pressure. Inserted in inks, paints or plastics, they can detect overheating, impact or environmental change. Already used in aeronautics, on sensitive aircraft parts or in safety devices such as motorcycle helmets, these pigments are also finding applications in the fight against counterfeiting. The technology, the fruit of 8 years’ research, is still subject to regulatory validation before being used on a large scale on roads, notably because French road signs require white paint.