As the first Danish paint and varnish company, Nowocoat has achieved international certification

As the first Danish paint and lacquer company, Nowocoat has received international certification from DNV in accordance with the UN’s 17 global goals.

“We are taking a stand. We are making an effort, and I believe it is our responsibility as business owners today. Nowocoat is committed to sustainability and how we can all contribute to making the world a better place. We aim to conduct ourselves appropriately, and I think investors, employees and especially customers expect that from us. We are proud to be pioneers in the Danish paint and varnish industry with this new certification related to the UN’s global goals,” says co-owner and board member Nina Reinert.

“DNV’s World Goal certification demonstrates that Nowocoat has not only committed to the selected global goals but also proactively established objectives for what they intend to achieve with plans that are integrated into their business and can be documented. Nowocoat has thus joined an exclusive group of Danish companies that don’t merely claim to work with the targets but can also prove that they are achieving them,” explains sales manager Kåre Appel Weng from DNV. He adds: “DNV’s Global Goals certification is aligned with ISO’s High Level Structure, meaning that Nowocoat has incorporated their work with the UN’s Global Goals into their existing management system, which DNV has certified for over 15 years. This makes it much easier in practice to work with the goals and integrate them into daily routines and processes”.

Sustainable development is a critical element in all developments at Nowocoat Industrial A/S and is an integral part of the company’s management system. Nowocoat systematically manages environmental and quality aspects and the company is already certified according to ISO 9001 and 14001. 

“As an integral part of this work, we also focus on the UN’s 17 world goals, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We particularly emphasise the goals related to health and well-being, decent work and economic growth and responsible consumption and production. However, the overall mindset regarding proper conditions from start to finish for people, products, health and the environment are important elements for us. Therefore, it is natural for us to work with the three selected world goals and I am incredibly proud and pleased that we have now achieved certification. I am confident that this recognition will effectively contribute to ensuring that our development and sustainable solutions at Nowocoat benefit both people and the environment,” states Ole Enevold Jensen, CEO of Nowocoat.

Sustainable and environmentally friendly products
Nowocoat expresses its ambitions concerning the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through specific environmental and quality objectives, which, in 2021, included the development of a unique and approved algaecide to replace products that Nowocoat believes are illegal to use in the market. 

“Our goal is for the product to be available in 80% of Denmark’s approximately 500 hardware stores and garden centres in 2021. The consumption of illegal products amounts to approximately 40 million litres. We expect our approved algaecide to capture a minimum of 5% of the market, corresponding to anticipated sales of no less than 2 million litres in 2021,” predicts Ole Enevold Jensen. He also highlights the company’s roof paint, which is certified under the DGNB as a special sustainability label. The product UV Lak is also ready on the market, aimed at replacing solvent-containing varnishes, thereby reducing environmentally harmful emissions and creating a better working environment. 

Earlier this year, Nowocoat acquired the Swedish paint company Rötmotaverken as part of a strategy for sustainable products. Nowocoat has also established a new global system that collects and manages all tasks worldwide, aiming to ensure better management of resources and workflows, which will enhance the working environment and well-being for each employee.

Sustainable development and secure jobs 
Ole Enevold Jensen emphasises that development and innovation drive the process at Nowocoat, with responsible consumption and production as the main focus. “We systematically work with environmentally responsible handling of chemicals, products and waste in our production. This is why we strive for sustainable certifications such as Ecolabel and DGNB, or develop a UV varnish that results in a significant reduction in the emission of volatile organic solvents. This process goes hand-in-hand with ensuring proper, safe jobs, health and well-being, while reducing exposure to hazardous chemicals. We invest substantial resources to engage, lead and support our employees in sustainable development. Our Code of Conduct has been distributed to all supplier and we ensure through dialogue that everyone adheres to this set of ethical guidelines,” points out Ole Enevold Jensen, CEO of Nowocoat.