Africa-Press – Seychelles. Sey No Plastic is looking for leading examples in the Seychelles business sector to phase out plastics and in general adopt Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We were delighted to visit the Penlac paint factory and learn in an interview with Penlac CEO, Abdul-Gafoor Yakub, about his manufacturing company’s efforts to go greener.
Here is what he had to say:
“As a small island state, we are deeply concerned about the likely effects of climate change, the impending risk of sea level rise, temperature rise and coastal erosion. So we, individuals and businesses alike, have a responsibility to try to slow climate change and reduce our carbon footprint.”
The Penlac company is pursuing greener options for its local manufacture and supply of paints, as many imported paints may contain plastics, lead and other harmful carbon-based chemicals, that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which must be kept low in the event of them being released into the atmosphere.
As the chairman and CEO of Penlac explained, “High levels of VOCs are bad news as they can cause health problems such as triggering respiratory problems and other allergic reactions”. This is why this private company took the initiative to outsource plastic-free, water-based raw materials and chemicals with low VOC content and, where possible, with zero-VOCs. The advantage of no plastic is that the paint allows the surface to breathe.
“We do things differently from traditional paint brands that are being imported into Seychelles. We follow strict standards in our production of paints and varnishes and we conduct specific lab tests on each batch of production as part of our quality management system. In addition to providing our customers with a wide choice of over 1000 shades of colours for interior and exterior decoration, we are able to reproduce and match any colour that a customer may desire,” Mr Yakub said.
He goes on to clarify that “At Penlac, we are constantly exploring and building on the concept of “green chemistry” to meet the challenges of protecting the environment and human health, while maintaining our commercial viability”. Green chemistry eliminates or reduces the use or generation of hazardous substances in the design, manufacture and application of chemicals.
Here are some examples:
What opportunities are there of such actions for cost savings?
In terms of electricity consumption, we currently save about 33% on our monthly electricity bill thanks to solar panels. For example, we can say with certainty that we are enjoying a saving of around R60,000 per year against a total PUC electricity bill of around R180,000.
As for reducing our water consumption, we hope to make progress once the effluent treatment plant is installed.
What about your business continuity with predicted higher sea levels and expected impact on climate change?
Fortunately, our Penlac plant is built on slightly higher ground. So that helps a bit at the moment. Our goal is for us to be sustainable, both economically and socially, in the medium and long term. Thus, in our quest for a cleaner environment, we are:
Sey No Plastic likes Mr. Yakub’s closing remarks in his interview:
“The global trend in the paint industry is there is an increasing demand for more eco-friendly paint coatings and the use of environmentally friendly products in Seychelles and also around the world.
“We are committed to a more sustainable future that places nature, people and the planet at the heart of the economy. So, we all need to make changes if we are to save the planet for our children and grandchildren.”
SeyNoPlastic supported by the French Government through the Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects
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