Colart, a global leader in art materials, has become the first company in its industry to commit to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reductions by 2035, and Scope 3 by 2050.
A B Corp certified company, Colart has committed to setting climate targets aligned with the SBTi as part of its “Creating Impact” sustainability roadmap. These targets will be submitted for SBTi validation in 2025, reinforcing Colart’s dedication to advancing sustainability in the art materials industry through insight-led innovation and a strong commitment to change.
“Being the first in our industry to commit to the Net-Zero Standard demonstrates our leadership in sustainability,” says Romain Guinier, CEO of Colart. “This commitment goes beyond reducing our emissions; it’s about transforming how we work across our value chain to drive meaningful change. The urgency of acting on climate change cannot be overstated, and we are taking bold steps to help mitigate the impacts.”
Value Chain Collaboration
Colart has already made significant strides in reducing its absolute CO2e emissions within its own operations (Scope 1 and Scope 2), achieving a reduction of nearly 50% since 2019. The company plans to further enhance energy efficiency across all its sites to continue reducing its overall energy consumption.
Nearly 90% of Colart’s emissions come from its suppliers and partners, making collaboration across the value chain essential. Scope 3 emissions represent all the emissions a company is indirectly responsible for, outside of its own operations. Colart has worked closely with suppliers to fully map its Scope 3 data, and this will remain a key priority in 2025 and beyond, as the company supports its partners in adopting greener practices.
“The challenges we face in reducing emissions cannot be solved in isolation,” Guinier adds. “Our success hinges on the partnerships we build with suppliers, customers, and peers. Only by collaborating can we pioneer industry-wide solutions that benefit both the planet and the creative community.”
To address emissions linked to the global transportation of products, Colart is enhancing logistical efficiency and engaging in initiatives such as the FRET21 program – a voluntary commitment by shippers to reduce their environmental impact. As part of this effort, Colart is increasing container fill rates and closely monitoring this key metric to improve the efficiency of product transportation worldwide. Additionally, Colart is collaborating with Amazon through the PICS Service, which focuses on reducing road transportation emissions by consolidating shipments and minimising unnecessary journeys.
Decarbonising Production
Colart’s Decarbonisation Roadmap, developed last year to help meet its carbon reduction targets, addresses emissions from material production. A key milestone in this plan was conducting decarbonisation studies at Colart’s largest site in Le Mans, France, which have already yielded significant results, including increased use of renewable energy and studies to minimise water consumption.
At Le Mans, the company has notably reduced hazardous waste by 40% since 2021, with a 25% reduction in 2023 alone. The site also introduced rainwater collection systems, contributing to a 15% reduction in water usage across operations.
In addition, Colart has achieved a 7% increase in its use of renewable energy in 2024, bringing the total to 35%. In 2024, solar panels installed at Colart’s Kidderminster site in the UK now provide 41% of the site’s electricity, reducing carbon emissions by over 26,000kg annually and contributing to the community by selling excess solar energy back to the national grid. The initiative ultimately aims for fossil fuel independence and net-zero UK warehouse operations.
“Colart’s operational focus on sustainability shows that with targeted action, real change is possible,” said Sara Brennan, Chief Innovation and Sustainability Officer (CISO) at Colart. “By investing in innovative solutions, we’ve demonstrated that decarbonisation is achievable and impactful.”
Creating Impact Across the Industry
“Achieving Net-Zero Standard emissions reductions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2035, and Scope 3 by 2050, is a key milestone in Colart’s sustainability journey,” explains Brennan. “This commitment aligns with the latest climate science and accelerates the company’s work to rapidly reduce CO2e emissions and lead the way in sustainable innovation.”
As the first company in its industry to achieve B Corp™ certification, Colart has set a high bar for sustainable practices. By submitting science-based targets to the SBTi, Colart is further advancing its internal sustainability efforts while transforming collaborations with value chain partners to create meaningful, long-term change.
About the SBTi and Net Zero
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute, and the World Wide Fund for Nature. Its mission is to drive ambitious corporate climate action by encouraging companies to set science-based emissions reduction targets.
Achieving net-zero emissions requires balancing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with equivalent GHG removals through natural processes (e.g., forest restoration) or technological solutions (e.g., direct air capture and storage).
For more information, visit https://sciencebasedtargets.org.
About Colart
Colart Group is the global parent company of the world’s most popular art material brands, including Winsor & Newton, Liquitex, Lefranc Bourgeois, Conté à Paris, Charbonnel, SNAZAROO and reeves.
Colart draws inspiration from artists in developing innovative products and fosters creativity at all levels, from professional artists and creative industries to hobbyists and students.
Sustainability is at the heart of Colart’s operations, underscored by its B Corp™ Certification and science-based carbon reduction targets. The company strives to increase social impact by engaging with communities through creative thinking and artist and colleague wellbeing; and by decreasing environmental impact through energy and water sources, packaging and waste supplies, and product ingredients.
The Colart Group employs nearly 900 people in 12 countries, and its products are sold in over 130 countries worldwide. Lindéngruppen owns Colart, a family-owned business focused on the long-term development of industrial companies.
For more information, visit www.colart.com.
Partners
Colart has proudly partnered with U&WE, Sweden’s most innovative sustainability consultancy, since 2011, leveraging their expertise to drive impactful sustainability initiatives and ensure the company’s long-term social and environmental responsibility.
Contact Info
For media inquiries, contact communications@colart.com.
Download the Colart Press Release here.