Sustainability Report - Colart
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Sustainability Report
2020-2021
Overview
Sustainability Officer 04
Contents
Words from the CEO 05
KPIs 06
Strategy Recap 08
Sustainability Trend 11
Lindéngruppen 12
Business
Brand Updates 14
Shopper Marketing & Insights 20
Governance 21
Supply Chain 22
Digital 23
NPD 26
New Business Development 27
Sustainable Innovation 28
People
Our People 30
Partnership and Charity 36
Planet
Footprint 38
SVHC 39
Social Impact 40
Materiality 41
Site Stories 43
Plans & Targets
Plans & Targets 56
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 2
Overview
Creating our
future together
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 3
Sustainability
COVID-19 has posed significant challenges for
Colart throughout 2020 and into 2021. However,
Officer Review
we have been able to adapt quickly across the
business and ultimately witnessed a growing
demand for our products during the pandemic.
of 2021 We kept our factories and distribution
centres open whilst prioritising the
safety of our people. This was achieved
packaging guidelines. For 2021, we
are targeting an overall reduction
of plastic use, the removal of single-
with investment in site health and use plastic, and moving to use of
safety equipment, and redesigning recycled plastics where removal
processes to protect staff. is currently not an option.
In spite of these challenges, embedding Our Sustainability Ambassadors continue
sustainability at Colart has continued to drive change, with a plethora of
at pace. Sustainability is considered, initiatives rolled out at many local sites
discussed and implemented and globally. We closely scrutinise
at all levels of the business. our energy consumption; in 2020
We have set a five-year sustainability most of our European sites switched
plan with clear targets and KPIs. to buying electricity from renewable
Business plans across the organisation sources. In France, for example, Le
now place sustainability at their core. Mans is installing a significant number
of solar panels on-site with the
Meanwhile, Colart’s brand plans project due to be live by mid-2021.
outline the need for sustainable new
product development, supported Step by step we are making
by our creation of sustainable progress - and I am excited by what
the next few years will bring.
Richard Llewellyn
Sustainability Officer
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 4
Words from
Our purpose-driven vision of ‘Inspiring
every artist in the world’ continues to
our CEO
drive everything we do at Colart.
Our portfolio of seven brands Importantly, we are convinced
and catalogue of over 13,000 sustainability adds long-term value
products is sold in more than 120 to Colart. Whilst we still have much to
countries, enabling multi-millions of do, we have set out a clear roadmap
creatives to express themselves in with ambitious five-year targets. We
colourful and meaningful ways. have reduced our CO2 emissions by
Sustainability runs throughout our 48%, and we are driving towards zero
operations; we don’t treat it as a single-use plastic in the business.
simple fad that will one day disappear. In 2021, whilst still adapting to the
Greenwashing and being seen to pandemic, we are enjoying the benefits
join the good side of the debate of a strong and mature company,
are not on our agenda. We take capitalising on consumers’ continuing
our mission seriously: to become compliance to the ‘stay at home’
the most sustainable consumer- advice - leading to a significant increase
driven home of creative brands. in demand for our beloved brands.
In making this mission a reality, we will This positive momentum is clearly felt at
lead our industry and are prepared to Colart, releasing initiative, innovation
invest. For us, reducing environmental and energy that produces a ‘can
impact and increasing social do’ attitude to our sustainability
responsibility whilst growing as a business agenda at every company level.
is more than a moral commitment. We The tide is turning; sustainability is no
will take serious action with tangible longer a side issue. It’s part of our every
results by reducing our carbon impact day working life - and we are very
removing single-use-plastic and focusing proud to make sure that continues.
To be the most sustainable
on the wellbeing of our people.
consumer driven house of
creative brands
Dennis van Schie
Colart CEO
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 5
KPI
Results
Energy Objective: Inclusiveness
To continuously reduce our
& Diversity Objective:
energy consumption and use To achieve a 50/50 gender
renewables wherever possible. target across Colart’s leadership.
We currently measure gender
according to our Leadership
-20.3%
Levels 3 to 5: Directors to CEO.
energy decrease Male 73%
vs 2019 . This mainly due to
closures during the pandemic.
Female 27%
Target 50%
3% share
of renewable energy
down 1% from 2018.
WASTE
-17%
26% increase total waste year-on-year.
of renewable bought electricity -22%
in the first quarter of 2021. reduction on hazardous waste.
31%
of all waste recycled.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 6
Social Impact SVHCS Update
3348.5 Substances of Very High Concern
hours spent in the community. (SVHCs) are chemicals that will
eventually be banned due to their
34% environmental and health impacts.
of all our direct suppliers are
evaluated against our code of
conduct. We will be working on 83% reduction
increasing the number of suppliers in the number of raw materials
throughout 2021 and beyond. containing SVHCs.
39%
of all new suppliers evaluated against
our supplier code of conduct.
97% reduction
in the number of pastes and finished
products containing SVHCs.
This project has significantly
reduced the number of harmful
chemicals (that are not banned)
in our products, thereby reducing
our impact on the environment.
Sickness Objective:
to monitor sickness levels and build
awareness of any issues that may
occur.
2.6%
sickness level, against a
target of less than 3%.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 7
Strategy
Recap
& TRANSPARENT SUPPLY
ABLE CHA
TAIN IN
SU S
Goals shared Colleague
Wellbeing
B E IN
G REDUC
Energy & Water
worldwide
I NG
LL
WE EN
VI
&
E COMMER
D&
RO
IV
CI
AN AL
AT
NM
BR
E
CR
EN
TA
INCREASING
L IMPA
Enhancing the
wellbeing of
people and the
CT
Artists’ planet through Packaging
Wellbeing creativity & Waste
BR L
AN IA
D& C
C O M MER
Creative Product
Thinking Ingredients
SUSTA
INABILITY COMMITTEE
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 8
Strategy Recap If 2020 taught us anything it’s that we would not
have a business without our people; they are at
People the heart of all our activity. As working from home
became the new normal for many of them, it was
important to ensure they remained connected
with each other and the wider company.
We continue to drive cultural change Health, Safety
across all levels and aspects of the
business through relentless dissemination & Wellbeing
of information and learning collateral. Colart’s constant goal is to provide
a safe and sustainable working
environment for our global community.
Social Impact In April 2021, we held a Health and
We continue to engage with Safety virtual conference, highlighting
local communities. We believe our key initiative to drive a positive
promoting volunteer opportunities safety culture at all our sites.
for employees to engage with helps
In so doing, we will reduce the
to develop and retain them, whilst
number of accidents and protect
also attracting top talent. Even in
our key asset - our people.
a year as tough as 2020 we still hit
our target of 3000 hours spent in the
community per million hours worked.
We drive a positive safety
culture at all our sites.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 9
Strategy
Recap Packaging
Colart introduced sustainable
packaging guidelines in 2020, which
Responsible
Sourcing
We are committed to sourcing
were rolled out in early 2021. The products, materials and services of the
guidelines will support new product highest standards, driving continuous
development to ensure we use improvements in quality and cost.
only the packaging we need.
Our aim is to establish a transparent
We are committed to reviewing our and ethical supply chain with a high
current packaging portfolio, and level of environmental legal and
take a holistic approach to improving human rights compliance, audited
the sustainability of our packaging. both internally and externally.
Reducing
Waste
We continue to drive the reduction
of waste across our production sites,
implementing and monitoring stringent
controls. Despite being in the chemical
production industry we ensure that
no waste from Colart’s operations
negatively impacts the environment.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 10Sustainability
Sustainability is a concern of consumers across the
globe. In fact, the pandemic has brought business
Trend
values and activity into clearer focus - meaning
they must demonstrate how they are caring for
their communities and the planet as a whole.
Colart’s goals reflect the positive Due to COVID-19 we also devised
effect creating art is known to have an initiative to help our employees
on mental health; many people balance work with homeschooling
started art hobbies during lockdown duties. This entailed Zoom-based art
to alleviate anxiety and boredom. classes for their children, as part of
Our dedicated teams, The Fine Art activity for our Elephant brand.
Collective, ran online tutorials to
The feedback was rewarding:
support both artists and retailers.
“The classes have been
amazing, keeping my seven-
year-old occupied twice a day
so I could work.”
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 11Lindéngruppen
Our owner Lindéngruppen is a second-
generation family business focused on long-term
development of industrial companies. The purpose
Review of 2021 of the Group is to own successful companies
that lead the transition to a sustainable world.
The Group is unified by a belief that Going forward, an important
by being rooted in strong values and part of optimising benefits is to
long-term thinking, we are able to build understand and drive sustainability
resilient and prosperous companies among all our customers.
whilst also making a difference and
taking an active part in solving some of
the major challenges our world is facing.
Together we work actively to optimise
environmental and societal benefits,
and to minimise negative impact.
Each of our companies is required
to have a clear understanding of
key issues, and how these can be
influenced and transformed over time.
Shared Clear purpose
and sustained and Code of
values. Conduct.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 12Our
business
Inspiring artists
everywhere
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 13Brand updates
• We have successfully moved • As part of our aim to reduce •During the first COVID-19 lockdown • The brand had confirmed the use
away from black vacuum forms single-plastic use, we are currently in 2020, Lefranc Bourgeois of glass jars for all its oil mediums
that were not easily recyclable. replacing plastic packaging of developed an online, artist-led and varnishes, as well as the
• In September 2020, we launched our brush pens and 18ml pot blisters with programme called #StayCreative iconic vinyl Flashe paint range.
very first customisable palette via sustainably sourced cardboard. (#RestezCréatifs) dedicated to • Most handles of the Lefranc Bourgeois
Snazaroo.com, allowing consumers to • Our new range of biodegradable all home-confined consumers. Kids school brushes ranges are FSC
refill their palette as colours run out. glitter is due to launch in Q3 2021. Several artists from France and abroad certified, reinforcing our commitment
• Our brand new factory in who have recently collaborate with to a sustainable supply chain.
Minehead, UK, moved to renewable the brand shared technical tutorials • As of 2020, all cardboard
energy in March 2021. and virtual tours of their studios. Artists packaging on our sets are FSC.
at home were invited to try their
turn at a challenge and share their • The brand has moved away
creations with the digital community. from black vacuum forms that
were not easily recyclable.
• After having been the first brand ever
to launch cadmium-free colours (in • Most of our suppliers are accredited
2017 with Lefranc Bourgeois’ oil paint with ISO standards 9001 and 14001.
relaunch), the brand extended the
scientific expertise to their gouache
range and in 2020 launched the first
ever cadmium-free gouaches. The
launch was encapsuled in the 300
years celebration, in which histories
of great artists and the brand were
revealed, such as Matisse’s love
for Linel Extra Fine Gouache.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 14Brand update
Liquitex
Digital-first Commitment to being a
communication strategy: more inclusive brand:
• Focuses on providing content • Championing underrepresented
that can be adapted by channel talent, featured in campaign
and audience type, to ensure shoots, influencer programmes,
maximum reach with minimal user-generated content.
environmental impact. • Celebrate individual artists behind the
• Increase in virtual demonstrations - work, and diverse artist groups across
Liquitex Live - limiting the need for style/type of practice, materials used,
printed takeaways whilst reaching ethnicity, geography, age, gender.
more people and allowing for • Residency programme provides
increased attendance. access to studio space, materials and
• Artist-led content capture - Artist mentoring in a creative community.
Spotlight. Production equipment is • Community building and support. Packaging improvements programme:
shipped to the artist to capture content
• Purposeful inclusion - partnering with • Liquitex Basics 60 x 22ml set will • FFP certification means:
over a period of time, eliminating the
organisations that provide support be launched exclusively for – The product is designed to
need for individual production shoots.
and funding to underrepresented artist Amazon - certified for its Tier 1 reduce waste and requires no
• Long-term relationships formed groups e.g. Black Art Futures Fund. Frustration Free Packaging (FFP) Amazon over-box or prep to ship.
with digital creators - influencer programme - in August 2021.
– It is made from kerbside
programme, In the Studio
• This is a new packaging initiative recyclable packaging materials.
collaborations and Artist Spotlight.
for Colart to design a set – It is easy to open and has
certified for FFP, and will inform minimal packaging.
product development and – Minimal damage and
improvements moving forward. defect rates.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 15Brand update
Winsor & Newton
Winsor & Newton is committed to • Most handles of the new professional • We are launching 16 new skin tones in
offering sustainable alternatives without synthetic brush ranges are FSC certified, our promarker range to provide a wider
compromising on performance. and feature reduced solvent in their variety of shades. This includes revising
• In 2019 and 2020, we successfully paint, reinforcing our commitment our packaging system to replace
launched Cadmium Free to a sustainable supply chain. single-use plastic with recycled plastic.
watercolour and oil colour, which • The introduction of these ranges • Most of our suppliers are accredited
artists confirmed to perform on par addresses supply chain issues for with ISO standards 9001 and 14001.
with counterparts in blind testing. larger size brushes, which have been • From 2021, all cardboard packaging
• Continuing in the spirit of offering difficult to produce with natural hair on our watercolour sets will be
consumers an alternative, Winsor & due to a shortage of longer natural FSC and no longer have a plastic
Newton launched synthetic watercolour hair because of climate change. coating on the cartons so they can
and oil colour brushes in 2021. The • Winsor & Newton is also committed be recycled. There has been further
product performs at the same level as to fully sustainable packaging. investigation completed on removing
our Watercolour sable and hog brushes. All launches follow new Colart plastic packaging from watercolour
• As with our Cadmium Free colours, artist sustainable packaging guidelines. half pans, whilst ensuring there is no
feedback indicated the quality of the • We are in the process of relaunching adverse impact to product quality.
synthetic brushes meant they performed our entire paper range. We ensure all
on par with counterparts in blind testing. materials are not derived from animals.
80% of our papers are FSC
certified - and 40% is made using
renewable hydropower energy.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 16Brand update
Winsor & Newton
• In addition, on our recently developed Further development • By working with artists who have
painting entry sets for beginners we similar values to those we want
of our communications
avoid plastic whenever possible: to convey about sustainability
strategy - Expert Colour. and the environment, we are
- No additional plastic sheet
in the product window for
Endless Possibilities: taking the first steps to aligning
all wet colour sets. • The impact of COVID-19 and ourselves with these issues.
results of Colart-commissioned • Later in 2021 we will roll out a strong,
- A high-quality photo on cardboard
brand preference research ongoing communication plan
for the front of pastels packs,
highlighted the importance to outlining our actions and initiatives
replacing plastic sleeves.
our audiences of community, to showcase our sustainable
- Pastel ranges no longer feature education, heritage, innovation, and initiatives and support our community
additional an inner carton. emotional connection. Increased with their own commitments to
• In late 2019, despite the higher awareness of environmental factors being environmentally friendly
cost, we decided proactively to is also playing a part in consumers’ in 2022 and beyond.
make vacuum forms only from a relationship with our brands.
recyclable material. This generic • We continued our oil campaign
rule has now been rolled out as a in early 2021, focusing on our
requirement for all Colart products. innovative Cadmium-Free oils and
new Winton colours. Both ranges
have been granted Approved
Product seals - certified as not
being toxic or injurious to humans.
• Key initiatives such as Our Featured
Artists and Material Matters give us
a platform to talk to our audience
in an authentic and informative
way, creating content where artists
speak to artists about our materials.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 17Brand update Sustainability is a key focus for Elephant
throughout 2021 and beyond. It has become
Elephant standard practice to ask ourselves what the
environmental impact of any new project
or opportunity will be. This is a great starting
point from which to create change and
challenge previous ways of doing things.
Moving to become a digital-first Our ecommerce business Elephant
brand is the first step in reducing Kiosk has removed all plastic tape from
our impact on the world around us. packaging and will have eliminated
Elephant Academy’s online learning all plastic outer packaging by the end
classes are a great example of of Q2. In Q3 we will be launching our
building meaningful connections own-brand sustainable paint sets out of
with consumers without the need for Kiosk. Paints in this range will be offered
travel or premises. We are discovering in plain aluminium tubes with recyclable
that you can create sustainability paper labels and all plastic moulding
without detriment to customer removed. Sets will be fully customisable,
experience. In fact, for many customers, reducing waste, and we will offer a free
sustainability is a key enhancement return scheme for safe disposal of tubes.
of any product or offering.
Plastic-free packaging in
Elephant’s own paint brand.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 18Brand update
Elephant
Elephant magazine, now published twice delivered to the art education of
a year, is fully recyclable on FSC-certified pupils. We will be repeating this
paper and produced by a carbon-neutral programme later in the year in the US,
printer. We invest in offsetting carbon targeting schools on the east coast.
emissions released while creating the • Donating more than 200 chairs from
magazine. The editorial team covers Elephant Space to a school in Africa.
many artistic projects that address
sustainability, with an example being • Offering substantial charity
the interview in the Spring/Summer 2021 discounts on all our products.
issue featuring art duo Cooking Sections, • Working with our local London
who explore ways of making the food borough to create a community
industry more environmentally friendly. garden at Elephant Space, designed
The Elephant team is passionate to absorb pollutants from traffic.
about making a positive contribution • By Q3 2021, every order placed
to charities, NGOs and the local through Elephant will contribute to
community. Our work has included: planting trees in the developing
• Overseeing the giveaway of 200,000 world through our partnership with
Winsor & Newton pigment markers to Eden Reforestation Projects.
380 UK schools and colleges during These initiatives represent a first step
the first half of 2021. These markers for Elephant towards developing a
have been gratefully received, with business where our commitment to
Elephant receiving significant positive sustainability is meaningful and at
feedback on the value this initiative has the heart of everything we do.
300 marker sets donated to charity by Elephant
“Such a great resource, especially with not being in specialist Carbon-neutral printer
classrooms at the moment. They’ve been so useful for providing for Elephant magazine.
a new medium to work with. Thanks so much!”
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 19Shopper Marketing
& Insights
Green Sustainability as Meeting consumer Harness the
values purchase driver demand influencer effect
Art supply customers want products to Art suppliers agree more needs to
Three-quarters of artists have bought Key influencers are starting to want
become more sustainable. Just under half be done to meet regulatory and
more sustainable items in the past two sustainable products, which is likely
already recycle materials (42%) rather consumer demand. From Cadmium
years (74%),with 36% saying they would to influence the whole market
than throw them away (25%) (Source: Free paints to refillable markers and
pay more for ‘greener’ products. (Source: GFK Brand Preference
Colart Sustainability Report 2019-20). recyclable aluminium paint tubes Drivers Research 2019/21).
They believe brands should be This is a key opportunity for brands many changes can be made.
to differentiate, drive emotional Professionals
tackling sustainability in three ways: Retailers also have a big part to
engagement and build brand loyalty. Sustainability is a key purchase
• Reduced packaging. play, and could offer change driver for professional artists along
Nearly two-thirds of artists (64%) say
• Increased recyclable materials. such as reduced plastic options with product performance.
they are likely to feel more loyalty to
• Fewer toxic ingredients. and local recycling points.
eco-friendly suppliers (Source: Colart
Sustainability Report 2019-20).
UK France USA
Did you know? 25%
Total population:
19%
Total population:
30%
Total population:
66.7M 67.1M 328.2M
Fine Art Professionals
Across the globe we are seeing an uptick in art Fine Art Market
16.4M
Fine Art Market
12.8M
Fine Art Market
98.1M
participation. With ‘stay at home’ orders now Students
in place for long periods at a time, we expect
68% 71%
9% 3%
Creative Professionals
7% 86%
this increased participation to be sustained.
9%
30%
5.5M
30%
5.5M
21% 14%
13.8M
4%
3%
Hobbyists
16%
7%
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 20Governance
2020 saw the strengthening of Colart’s
commitment to governance through the creation
of a new Business Partner Code of Conduct.
The Code is intended to enhance The Code supplements Colart’s internal
Colart’s responsible business agenda by Employee Code of Conduct to ensure
setting out the standards and practices the standards we expect are upheld
expected from our business partners, throughout the supply chain. To ensure
covering our suppliers, distributors, commitment to the Code, business
retail customers, artists and anyone partners will be asked to confirm
else we engage with; as well as their their acceptance of the Code. In
own suppliers, sub-contractors and addition, both business partners and
representatives in the supply chain. Colart employees continue to have
the ability to anonymously report any
The Code places an obligation breaches through EthicsPoint - our
on our business partners and their independent online reporting portal.
supply chains to adhere to the
highest ethical standards and A register to capture any interactions
business practices such as: with competitors continues to be
updated with declarations from Colart’s
• Compliance with all applicable laws. Group Leadership Team. Plans are in
• Refraining from bribery and corruption. place to ensure the wider roll-out of the
• Avoiding conflicts of interest. register to all Colart staff, supplemented
• Ensuring gifts and hospitality are with relevant guidance and training.
not given or received with the
aim of influencing a decision. Global litigation and legal entity
governance continues to be tracked
• Fair treatment of all workers with
centrally through respective portals
no use of child or forced labour.
and registers, to ensure legal and
• Striving to reduce environmental
compliance risk is effectively managed.
footprint by minimising use of energy
and resources in the development,
manufacture, transport, use
and disposal of all products.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 21Supply
Colart continues to improve transparency
and relations with its supply chain…
Chain Resource
scarcity
We have observed in 2020 and at
Packaging
changes
As we continue our sustainability
the beginning of 2021 an increasing journey we have made significant
dependence on limited resources. changes to our packaging.
Colart has started an initiative to derisk We are aiming to remove single-
dependence by dual sourcing raw use plastic as much as possible,
materials that are deemed critical, and but we are also working on other
finding local alternatives when possible. initiatives behind the scenes.
We’re working on our formulations For example, we have stopped over-
to reduce the supply chain stress packaging goods that were shipped
and locate sources closer to the within the Group, by removing inner
consumption point. This helps cartons wherever possible. The same
avoid unsustainable airfreights. approach is also being taken for
shipping material in customer orders.
SEDEX & our We aim to reduce the use of
Code of Conduct such material, and even when
this is not possible, shift to more
We continue to make strides to
environmentally friendly material.
ensuring our partners are committed
to sustainability as much as Colart is.
To make this happen, we have revised Sustainable
our Code of Conduct so that it applies cotton
to all of our stakeholders - whether
upstream or downstream - and continue We are putting in place a
to lead change in our supply chain. cotton sourcing policy for
all of our cotton fabric.
All of our sites are signed up to SEDEX.
We ask our suppliers to sign up as part The initiative is intended to encourage
of the procurement process, an online better water and energy management
social and digital exchange focusing practices during production. We
on labour standards, business ethics, also aim to ensure we draw from
health & safety & the environment. socially responsible sources.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 22Digital
We continue to build our internal digital
capabilities, upskilling teams across the business.
transformation Winsor & Newton
e-commerce
Colart
Trade
In 2020, we relaunched Winsor & Another key event during 2020 was
Newton e-commerce websites in the the launch of our business-to-business
UK, US, Australia, and Rest of the World portal, Colart Trade. Smaller firms
onto our internal WordPress platform. can now more easily and effectively
This was a major milestone, driving place orders, reducing time and effort
simplicity and efficiency, saving more on manual paper-based ordering.
than £100,000 in platform management The portal is currently available in
expenditure. Results to date are the UK and Italy; during 2021 it will
encouraging, with increased consumer launch in several more markets.
page visits and dwell time as they seek All of our websites and Colart Trade
to learn more about our products. are supported by - and dependant
on - PIM, our ‘one source of truth’ for all
product data, further driving efficiency
and removing complexity. Over one
million data points are now in PIM, which
will continue to mature during 2021.
£100,000 saving in platform
management expenditure.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 23Digital
transformation
Data-driven and Digital
consumer-centric democratisation
Being both data-driven and During 2021, we will begin the
consumer-centric in our approach important project of spreading
are key strategic priorities for our
digital marketing activities.
digital capability wider across
the business. Progress will include
Greater insight
By consolidating several data upskilling capabilities in brand teams into our consumers.
platforms into one with the launch and local markets, in addition to
of a Consumer Data Platform, we supporting further e-commerce
are simplifying access to data whilst and direct to consumer initiatives.
also gaining more powerful, granular By embedding digital throughout
insights about our consumers that Colart we will continue to
will help us to deliver even more mature and future-proof our
relevant, timely and consistent marketing activations.
brand communications to our
different target audiences.
During 2020, all Winsor & Newton
and Liquitex consumer data was
Future proof
migrated to this new platform. marketing by
The work continues in 2021 with
Lefranc Bourgeois, Elephant
digital upskilling.
and Snazaroo following suit.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 24Digital
Consumer care Ethics and
Sustainability matters
Geographical split
Total Sustainability
• All Lefranc Bourgeois “Sustainability Geographical
Queries queries
queries” are about usage of Area
by area by area
1.7% of the total number of enquiries received in 2020 animal derived ingredients.
Oceania 3% 4%
is about Sustainability & Social Responsibility. UK is • Liquitex and Reeves consumers
North
the market more concerned about those subjects. are mainly concerned about America
40% 25%
using vegan products.
Whilst in terms of subjects, majority of questions Europe 39% 52%
relates to respect for animals and environment. • Snazaroo consumers are
UK 17% 19%
interested in product safety and
environmentally friendly products. ROW 18% 31%
• Winsor & Newton consumers
are equally concerned
about the environment and Sustainability
respect for animals, however queries by Brand
they pay attention to Human
Rights matters too. #
%
Sustainability
Brand Sustainability
Queries
Queries
per Brand
5%
7%
Lefranc
12 1.1%
Bourgeois
14%
Liquitex 49 1.1%
Reeves 35 4.6%
Snazaroo 6 0.9%
Winsor &
177 1.9%
Newton
74%
Vegan Products
Ethics & Human Rights
Reeves & Winsor & Newton
Safety & Product
composition consumers care the most.
Environment Concern
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 25NPD
We continue to further Lefranc Bourgeois Liquitex:
embed sustainability within Lino Ink Set - Replaced vacform Heavy Body - Investigations continue
new product development with a new reusable fabric bag; to uses eco-friendly (PCR) tubes
also developing carton sets for acrylic paint; planned for soft
as we drive cultural change roll-out when production trials and
without plastic windows.
throughout Colart. product quality pass testing.
Enfant Gifts - Requesting FSC
Sets - Where possible, we are developing
boxes where possible; considering
Where possible on NPD projects, we new sets and modifying existing sets,
the best place to assemble sets to have no vacforms, which reduce
source eco-friendly options such as PCR
with components from both plastic usage and the set footprint.
tubes, R-PET plastic bottles, and support
China and France, to minimise We are also investigating the use of
these changes by making necessary
transportation between countries. recyclable shrink wrap for all sets.
adjustments to production equipment.
Watercolour Sets - Existing plastic Vacforms - We are moving from black
The following projects highlight
boxes switched to more durable vacforms to clear vac-forms that
our bid to continue to embed
metal boxes. FSC carton packaging can be recycled, while also seeking
sustainability, and challenge the sustainable material alternatives
is now being implemented; it is
materials we use in our products: for sets where they are needed.
recyclable, with plastic coating on
the paper packaging removed.
Future sustainability improvements Crown Artist Brush:
include removing plastic wrapping
over half pans and replacing them Pthalate content removed
with a sustainable alternative. from all packaging to ensure
compliance with new legislation
Vacforms - All interior vacforms will be
Phthalates products - fully migrated over
sourced from white recycled plastic.
during 2020 to ensure compliance.
Blockprinting Starter Set - To be Two new Winsor & Newton brush
proposed in a FSC cardboard ranges were launched with FSC wood
box, containing all materials handles coated with water based
in an original cotton bag. lacquer. This in turn led to a project to
progressively extend the use of FSC
wood handles and water based lacquers
across all our core existing ranges.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 26New Business
The function of business development is newly
created to explore longer-term growth through
Development
partnerships within the creative industry.
We not only investigate the commercial
opportunity of such collaborations but
actively embed our values - including our
sustainability agenda - in all discussions.
As such, we have actively turned down We believe this is a great example
viable commercial opportunities that of how a business purpose of
conflict with our views on sustainability, spreading the joy of painting and
whilst engaging in collaborations we fair business ethics can go hand
felt were worth paying more for due in hand. We are proud to partner
to the supplier’s brand message of with Viviva as its distribution partner,
sustainability whilst inspiring creativity. bringing the brand and products
One such a collaboration is our work to consumers around the world.
with India-based start-up business
Viviva Colors. The company has
developed ultra-portable and
easy-to-use colour sheets. They are
predominantly made of lightweight
paper, providing a stable income for
women in the local community.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 27Sustainable
With full alignment to the Sustainability Strategy
on Products and Environment, my new role is
Innovation
to drive the sustainable innovation agenda for
new product development across our brands.
We will achieve this through expertise Another of my key objectives is
and leadership, providing guidance to rebuild stronger connections
to the newly transformed local I&D with our expert suppliers (via
teams across the business; ensuring procurement) and artist consumers
resulting workstreams are aligned with (via TFAC) to ensure Colart is their
deliverable and timely objectives. first contact for using sustainable
raw materials, and facilitating new
thinking and opportunities.
Watch this space!
Cris Cosgrave
Sustainable Innovation
Programme Manager
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 28Our
people.
It’s the
Colart Way
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 29Our people…
make the difference
We know Colart’s people make a major Leaders Plus Mentoring
difference to our success and we value
everyone’s input - whether as a leader, part During 2020, we continued our The diminished ability to meet
of a team or an individual contributor. Our membership and support of Leaders Plus face-to-face in 2020 initially posed
commitment to developing our people, as - a social enterprise enabling talented significant challenges for our mentoring
well as building their understanding of and people in the UK with young children programme. But taking learnings from
engagement in sustainability inside and to develop their leadership careers. remote working, we managed to revive
outside of Colart, is unwavering. the scheme with several mentoring
The network and mentoring offered by this
relationships taking place online.
Leadership programme have been delivered hand-
This also created the potential for cross-
in-hand with Colart’s flexibility and support.
We believe sustainable business Our commitment is recognised as evidence border mentoring, which we are seeking
performance starts with effective of the desire to build a positive environment to enhance in 2021 as part of our focus
leadership. The starting point is knowing for new parents in leadership roles. on collaboration and connectivity.
what good leadership looks like - as
We continue to support Leaders We have also enhanced our
described in The Colart Way - and having
Plus during 2021, with our first male intranet mentoring platform
clarity over who has leadership responsibility.
leader attending the programme. to improve accessibility and
This became evident in 2020 as understanding of the scheme.
our leaders had to learn how to “My LeadersPlus journey helped me
maintain focus alongside a sense of realise that I can be a good mother
teamwork, with COVID-19 creating and ambitious leader at the same time
factors beyond their control. with out feeling any guilt but instead
be inspired to do more. I would like to
Collaboration, communication and describe my experience as a working
connectivity became the underlying mother at Colart in 3 words = Trust, Flexibility
call to action for our leaders, and core and Empathy; these empowered me to
to our global leadership development become a better leader, better colleague
programme during 2020. and most importantly a better mother.”
The programme is underpinned by
Cris Cosgrave
engendering self-awareness and reflection,
R&D Manager (London)
to enable our leaders to become mindful We value
of self, team and Colart’s collective mission.
everyone’s input
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 30Our people…
Day in the life of Splash
Our 2020 ambitions for our Day in the Life Agile system development is part The enhancement of the review
of Colart’s way of working. The process in Splash has also
programme were severely limited by remote
continued development of Splash enabled better analytics and
working and social distancing, but we still - our global People System - is a follow-up strategy, especially
managed to enable 50 people to take part. great example of this approach. for succession planning.
Following the full cascade of During 2021, we will continue to
The benefits of the the system to all levels in 2019, enhance the value of the system
we took the next step in 2020 by leveraging existing functionality;
programme include: “Good experience, very
to enhance it by integrating for example, automating line
• Ability to discover a new job. satisfied with this day. An automated performance and manager requests and enabling
• Understanding the challenges interesting job that could development functionality. people to see their total rewards.
and needs of colleagues. interest me.” This step not only removed the Splash also provides the platform
• Knowledge sharing. need for a standalone system but for our commitment to align with
Guillaume Bouet, France
also provided the opportunity to the Colart Code of Conduct:
• Creating social and
enhance the focus on employee presented in all languages and
professional bonds.
development. All line managers accessible to every employee.
• Improved internal communication. across Colart attended to help
increase the value of the discussions.
• A better vision of the organisation.
• Collaboration and
breaking down silos.
Direct sourcing of new
recruits continued in 2020 7933
to be an effective way of hours dedicated to
introducing new people training across all sites.
to the Colart Family.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 31Our people…
inspire every
Our vision is to inspire every artist in
the world. Whilst our brand portfolio
is the foundation of this vision,
artist success will only come through our
people - they are the ingredient
that makes the difference.
To actively embody the concept
of ‘family’, we know we must live
up to the promises we make to our
Under 25% people. This means we must build a
healthy working environment based
on respect, dignity and collaboration.
of our leadership
Only then can we ensure Colart is a
can be described as place where people want to work.
ethnically diverse so The second global gender pay
progress is necessary. analysis was conducted in 2020.
It showed that average pay
continued to be aligned with most
companies, with our median pay
being better than the norm.
Whilst some progress could be seen
40% compared to 2019 - particularly in
North America - encouraging more
Women make up over women into leadership positions
continues in 2021. We will support
40% of our leadership, flexible working and skill development
an increase from 2019. to promote diversity and inclusion.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 32Our people…
our wellbeing At Colart, we are committed to focusing
on the whole person. 2020 was a year like
no other, but offered us the opportunity
to demonstrate this commitment.
We put people first in all actions and - business units found creative ways
decisions throughout the year; knowing to support people both inside and
that without our health, whether outside the company. For example,
mental or physical, we would not be empty office space in Northern Europe
able to achieve our goals. Maintaining was offered to school teachers who
connectivity and relationships was core lacked space at home to be able
to this focus in response to feedback to teach their students online.
received from our people through
pulse surveys during the year. Maintaining connectivity in
It was with great pride that we were our remote world was seen
able to coordinate many wellbeing
activities across the business despite of the as a top priority.
challenges presented by the pandemic. Home schooling impacted many of our
As in previous years, our global people during 2020. To recognise this
Wellbeing Ambassadors were key to challenge we offered an eight-week
these grassroots wellbeing initiatives timetable of art classes to different age
making ‘welldoing’ a reality. groups. During this period, nearly 600
Whilst many wellbeing activities shifted places were taken with a dedicated
online - including yoga and art classes audience of regular students.
In Colart France, our people
took the initiative to clean
up the site creating a
sense of teamwork and
environmental value.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 33Our people…
health & safety Incident report 2020
Health & safety is everyone’s responsibility. We
decentralised this function in 2020, enabling each site to 0 Fatality.
SEVERE
take full ownership of health & safety in their location.
0 Injury or illness resulting in
MAJOR permanent impairment.
In 2021, we had a virtual health & Policy
safety conference, sharing ideas 18 Injury requiring external
and creating further alignment • Decentralised responsibilities MODERATE medical treatment.
using the maturity matrix below. with global guidance.
This will help Colart to plan • Local regulations as a minimum 99 Injury or illness resulting in
activities and improvements to MINOR treatment. Temporary impairment.
shared best practice.
its culture and health & safety
management systems.
Process 86 Minor injuries or discomfort.
No medical treatment or measurable
• Greater openness encouraged; NEAR MISS physical effect. Zero lost time.
People may initially lead to increases
in reporting of near-miss and
• Local responsibilities clearly minor incidents. We aim to
communicated across sites. eliminate all but minor incidents.
• Increased competency, • Local investigation and reporting,
with investment in training with agreed corrective and
for all employees with preventative actions; progress
clear record keeping. can be monitored by local
health & safety committees,
overseen by local management.
• Clear escalation process
• Monthly and quarterly
data capture and review Zero incidents
at GLT & Board level.
targeted for our sites.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 34Our people…
Maturity Matrix
People Process
Communication Behaviour Training Ownership Governance Guidelines Tools Events
Documentations
Emerging Level 1 Emerging Level 1
• Clarification of H&S • Colart Way - • Skill identification - • Individual • Site Taskforces • Colour coded • KPI’s visible to all • Committee
journey - Vision Safety Culture Training Matrix understanding • Ethics Point zoning Meetings
Mission Scope • Awareness Videos (onboarding) • Risk Assessment
• Incident Reporting
Managing Level 2 Managing Level 2
• Increased signage • Toolbox talks • Skill identification - • Individual • Safety Walks • Policy Guidelines • Plan Do Check Act • Lindéngruppen
• H&S Video • Adhering to Training Matrix - Everyone • Internal Audits Discipline (PDCA) Health and safety
• Uniform Safety colour code Responsible • Shared learnings conference
Message (activation) • Taskforce visits Conferences
• Supplier Audits
Involving Level 3 Involving Level 3
• Who we are what • H&S Quiz / facts • E-Learning roll out • Team - Safety • Shared learnings • Documentation • E-learning videos • Contractor Safety
we do • Employee engage • Risk Assessments Captains wider audience digital database etc day
• E-learning comms • Culture embedded • Awareness (involvement) • Safety Week
• H&S Strategy / (videos etc)
Newsletter
Cooperating Level 4 Cooperating Level 4
• Safety Mascot • 6 Golden rules • Safety Checklist – • Collective - Risk • Benchmarking • Benchmarking • Human error • Recognition and
competition • Safety Observation operator signed Assessments across LG across LG management celebrating success
KPI • Refresher Training (empowering)
Continually improving Level 5 Continually improving Level 5
• H&S Case Studies • External benchmark • Cross LG learning • Collective outside • LG Accident • LG policy sharing • Industry 4.0 • External award
• LG Collaboration accreditation in assessment sharing events
• Zero accident vision (building)
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 35Partnerships
Colart is excited to share an initiative we
have supported that truly aligns to our vision
& Charity
of ‘Inspiring every artist’ - and to our values in
supporting key projects in the community.
The pandemic has been challenging development of skills and knowledge
Collaboration
for many children and young people of different media, techniques, artworks
in West London; particularly those in and makers; as well as of Frederic -
vulnerable situations. To help inspire Lord Leighton - and Leighton House.
creativity and learning away from This fantastic opportunity came when
computer screens, Leighton House a Lindéngruppen board member
- the former home and studio of introduced our CEO Dennis van Schie to
Victorian British artist Frederic Leighton Sir David Verey CBE, Chair of the Friends
- has collaborated with Winsor & of Leighton House Museum. We then set
Newton, West London Zone and up a task force across UK commercial,
RBKC Looked After Children’s Services marketing, distribution and warehousing;
to create Time for Art gift boxes. TFAC; and Winsor & Newton global
Each keepsake art box contains a comms to deliver this project.
unique array of guided, practical
arts and crafts projects linked to
Leighton House, with all the materials
needed to follow each activity,
from brushes to paper, to paints
and inks, and pencils and pens.
Artists Ayesha Gamiet and Laurelie
Rae have designed original art
projects for Time for Art. Each box
is a present, decorated with a gold
ribbon, intended to bring happiness
and relaxation, encourage creativity
and self-expression, and support the
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 36Planet
Serious
commitment
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 37Footprint CO 2 Freight
Significant reduction in Scope 3
Vs 2019 48% due to consolidated shipments,
meaning fewer shipments - to be
reduction overall continued going forward. 2000
tCO2e reduction in logistics (Le Mans)
We measured a large reduction in in emissions due to minimum air freight. Scope 3
emissions in 2020 compared to 2019, and across the group is 55% of our overall emissions which
will draw on best practice from the past includes waste, water and freight.
12 months to reduce volumes further.
Our plan to increase purchasing of Energy
renewables at all sites is currently on track. Significant reduction of energy use in
Air freight for transporting our products Le Mans the US. We continue to increase our
purchased renewables across the
should be seen as a last resort. Continuous reduced by site, predicting a significant decrease
improvement across our key sites will ensure
43%
in 2021 for Scope 2 emissions.
we are efficient and creating less waste.
Waste
Most of our waste is incinerated
due to the nature of the chemicals
used. This is a key area of focus
with plans to reduce the quantity
Tianjin of hazardous waste created.
reduced by
46%
Scope 1 covers direct emissions from
owned or controlled sources.
Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from
the generation of purchased electricity,
steam, heating and cooling consumed
by the reporting company.
Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions
that occur in a company’s value chain.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 38SVHC &
A European Green Deal, a set of
policy initiatives, has been published
by the European Commission with
the overarching aim of making
REGULATORY
Europe climate neutral in 2050. 67%
Two areas of development will
have a significant impact on the
reduction
consumer chemicals industry: in the number of
• Mobilising industry for a clean raw materials
and circular economy. containing SVHCs
• A zero pollution ambition for
a toxic-free environment.
Whilst there is not an exact definition of
toxic-free environment, we anticipate
legislative change will continue to
influence how we communicate
83%
hazards to the consumer, and
drive innovation to reduce our
reduction
hazardous chemical footprint. in the number of pastes
Our regulatory KPI towards Colart’s containing SVHCs
sustainability goal is to remove all SVHCs
(Substances of Very High Concern)
from our formulations. We have made
significant progress on this journey.
It is mandatory to notify on the SDS of
their presence above 0.1% and comply 57%
with any sunset date. Colart is going
further than this to proactively eliminate
reduction
SVHCs from our formulations, and in the number of products
exclude them in any new products. containing SVHCs
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 39Social
Colart continues to offer every employee up
to one day per year to engage in community
Impact
activities. 2020 was difficult in many ways,
with COVID-19 lockdowns in many locations
where we have sites, so it was somewhat
harder to continue this initiative.
Our team in China, both in Tianjin and These included weekly shopping for
Shanghai, found creative ways to people isolating due to COVID-19;
use their hours, partnering with other village hall treasurer duties; Rainbows
organisations to raise money for children leadership training; admin duties for
from disadvantaged backgrounds. parent-teacher associations; fundraising
Three members of the team - Shi for RNLI; and Breast Cancer Research.
Jing, Wang Lu and Lucy Zhang - Overall, 2,833 hours contributed to
spent time donating discontinued every million hours worked - a great
products to Xingtong Development achievement in a difficult year.
Centre for Autistic Children.
In the UK, our Minehead team got
involved: Gaynor Smith, Lucy Franklin,
Julian Hooper, Mandy Rich, Christine
Watts and Paul Ruston completed
various activities throughout the year.
2833 hours
contributed to every
million hours worked.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 40Materiality Carbon
Our last assessment was in 2018. Although much footprint
has changed since then, our focus remains the
is a key priority for
same - but with increased priority in some areas:
our customers.
Packaging Quality
Has increased in importance This is a key priority for our end
not only for us but for key users. It is synonymous with our
customers, including Amazon own values and plays a vital role
and WHSmith. Remove, reduce, in the success of our business.
reuse and recycle form part of our
Innovation
sustainable packaging guidelines.
Legislation will also impact the Our mission is to become ‘the
Quality
way we package our products. most sustainable consumer-driven remains a priority for
house of creative brands’. our customers.
Wellbeing
2020 has shown us the importance Digital
of employee wellbeing and 2020 underlined how important
why it is a key focus for us. digital is. This has been recognised
within our operations with the
Carbon footprint launch of our business-to-business
Reduction of our footprint is platform, and the ongoing
imperative to the survival of process of having a single ERP
our planet, and a key priority system across all business units.
for our customers. In 2020, we One system
measured a significant reduction Regulatory
due in part to enforced changes
A single ERP system across
Legislation continues to change
caused by the pandemic; we all business units.
and we must adapt quickly
must aim to maintain this trend. to ensure our products are
compliant in all markets.
CONTENTS OVERVIEW BUSINESS PEOPLE PLANET PLANS & TARGETS 41You can also read
