Action please
Note: This is a machine-translated version of the original German text. The translation was generated with AI assistance. In case of any discrepancy, the German original shall prevail.
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PNZ in Action
For us, sustainability does not end with the product and does not end at the factory gate. We see ourselves as an active part of a larger system – and take on responsibility that goes far beyond that. Many ecological and social challenges cannot be solved by individual companies. They require collaboration, knowledge transfer and collective action across industry boundaries.
"We are working not only on developing better products – but also on enabling better systems."
01 - Why we get involved
We therefore see ourselves not only as a manufacturer of ecological wood protection and wall paint products, but as an active part of a larger system. One in which a medium-sized company from the Altmühltal Nature Park can have real impact despite its modest size – if it finds the right levers and uses them consistently.
Sustainable change only comes through collaboration and collective action. What we cannot do alone, we can tackle together. What we know, we share. And what we advocate for, we defend publicly.
02 - Collective action and collaboration
- Research collaborations: Collaboration with the Max Planck Institute and the Charité Berlin (Carbon2Coatings, completed 2025). Follow-up project MCCU launching in 2026 – as an open-source initiative for the entire chemical industry
- Open innovation approaches: All research results freely available – industry impact more important than competitive advantage
- Fraunhofer IPA – Eco Hub: Cross-company impact database for the chemical industry; joint development of the 24/7 wastewater monitoring system
- B Corp Community: Active membership; signatory of the Open Letter on climate transformation; panel appearances at the European Social Summit and Zukunftsinstitut webinars
- Knowledge exchange and mentoring: Training, application technology, participation in sustainability initiatives
- Contributions to the professional public: timberlove.blog as an open platform for data, experience and honest assessments
03 - Social engagement
Alongside scientific and economic collaboration, PNZ is concretely engaged in social projects – without fanfare, but with real impact.
- Pure Water for Generations: Support for the association working to restore the Danube to drinking water quality
- School construction in Nepal: Donations in kind and cash for the construction of two schools in the Humla region (Nepal Medical Careflight)
- Regional reforestation: Contributions to regional reforestation initiatives – tangible, not merely compensatory
- Sea rescue: Support for United4Rescue.org and the initiative #wirhabenplatz
- No-vember: For several years, a deliberate call for reduced consumption as a counterweight to Black Friday
- Promotion of climate literature: Support for young authors such as David Nelles and Christian Seffert ("Die Klimalösung", 2021)
04 - Sharing knowledge rather than keeping it
- Technical information publicly accessible at pnz.de and timberlove.blog
- Open presentation of trade-offs and open questions – including where there is no good solution
- Contributions to regulatory developments (REACH, VOC, circular economy)
- Collaboration with research and education
- Carbon2Coatings and MCCU: all research results open source – for the entire global chemical industry
05 - Research as a lever for change
PNZ invests between 5 and 10 % of annual revenue in research and development – an exceptional proportion for a company of this size.
- Bio-based and low-emission materials: Replacing synthetic additives with renewable alternatives
- Long-lasting coating systems: A product that lasts twice as long halves resource consumption
- CO₂-reducing technologies: Carbon2Coatings (completed 2025); MCCU – launching 2026
- Production and application systems: NatureTec©, 24/7 wastewater sensors, energy efficiency programmes
06 - Responsible Advocacy
PNZ engages in advocacy only where it promotes positive environmental or social outcomes. Positions are based on science, robust data, and practical experience.
- Technical exchange on sustainable materials, circular economy, and regulatory issues (REACH, VOC)
- Public positioning through expert articles, interviews, and publications – transparent and verifiable
- Knowledge transfer to the industry instead of proprietary protection
- Zero tolerance: no covert payments, no corruption, focus on factual argumentation
- Political contributions: PNZ does not make financial or in-kind contributions to political parties, candidates, election campaigns, or political action committees
- Reporting channels: concerns about corruption, covert payments, or inappropriate conduct related to our advocacy activities can be reported at any time via our grievance process
- Association membership: PNZ is a member of the Bundesverband Nachhaltige Wirtschaft (BNW – Federal Association for Sustainable Business), which represents cross-party, transparent positions for an ecologically and socially sustainable economic policy. We regularly compare the association’s positions with our own sustainability principles
07 - Governance and Accountability
Responsibility for all activities lies with management. Every public position is approved by management prior to publication.
Because our advocacy is limited to our own public statements (see above) and our BNW membership, the risk of deviating from this policy is limited – we manage it through the approval requirement described above and regular alignment checks with the association’s positions.
The policy is reviewed by management at least once a year; in the same cycle, we assess whether our practice still aligns with this policy.
Stakeholders can raise concerns about our business conduct and advocacy activities at any time via our grievance process – we are committed to responding. Criticism is not a problem – it is a tool for improvement.
Notes:
These guidelines were approved by the board of directors in July 2026 and are valid until a new release.
