Sustainability

The idea of sustainability has characterised our corporate activities for almost 150 years.

"We want to live, work, struggle, fight and care for our fellow human beings, work for our descendants, so that things may be better on earth."

Adolf Wilhelm Keim, the founder of KEIMFARBEN

"For us, sustainability means provision and care and is therefore more than just an economic principle. It is the most valuable connection between generations."

Rüdiger Lugert, Managing Director KEIMFARBEN

For almost 150 years, the idea of sustainability has characterised all of KEIM's business activities with regard to ecological, economic and social aspects. Our mission is to harmonise people, space and the environment through sustainable construction and renovation. Climate change is real and protecting our planet is the greatest global challenge. As the world's leading specialist in mineral building protection, we have the obligation and the opportunity to contribute to the solution.

Our innovative products stand for an excellent ecological profile throughout their entire life cycle: from resource-conserving production based on natural raw materials without the addition of solvents or preservatives, to an extremely long service life and return to biological and/or technical cycles. The cradle-to-cradle certification of 80 KEIM products demonstrates our role as a role model for healthy, circular products.

The quality of our products also guarantees economic sustainability. The longevity of an investment increases its profitability. KEIM mineral colours retain their function and appearance over a very long period of time, which significantly reduces maintenance costs, for example. We are also committed to the idea of sustainability in our social behaviour towards employees and business partners both inside and outside the company. The human aspect of our business activities and their impact on society are of great importance to us. This applies to openness in communication and fairness as well as customer satisfaction and ethical behaviour along the entire supply chain.

We see environmental protection as an opportunity: we strive for holistic solutions that are in harmony with our environment. Ecological aspects are therefore an integral part of the design of our product portfolio.

Sustainable product characteristics and responsible behaviour are made transparent through certifications and quality seals.

In terms of product certifications, KEIM has been at the forefront of the construction industry since 2022 with Cradle to Cradle Certified® silver certification for 80 products. In the Material Health category, all products even achieved the Gold standard. It is only awarded to products that do not contain any substances from the list of banned chemicals and do not pose a risk to health or the environment.

In 1993, KEIM launched Biosil, the world's first healthy living interior paint, and later received the world's first natureplus certification for interior and facade paints. To this day, KEIM facade paints are the only ones in Europe with this seal of quality. It is awarded by accredited laboratories and experts in accordance with international standards and offers consumers and building professionals guidance in identifying the best products on the market.

The Blue Angel has been the German government's environmental label for over 45 years and identifies products that are particularly environmentally friendly and harmless to health.

With AquaROYAL, KEIM was the first company to develop a biocide-free ETIC system over 15 years ago, which was awarded the "Blue Angel for External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems DE-UZ 140" ecolabel for the first time in 2014. The Blue Angel for ETICS provides guidance for anyone wishing to select a system that is both structurally sound and of high quality in terms of health.

Since August 2025, our wood products KEIM Lignosil-Verano, KEIM Lignosil-Inco and KEIM Lignosil-Artis have also been awarded the "Blue Angel DE-ZU 12a" seal, demonstrating their outstanding product properties. Paints with this seal are low in emissions, pollutants and solvents and contribute to a better indoor climate.

The increasing importance of building certifications according to sustainability criteria is also increasing the demand for corresponding products. Properties such as resource efficiency, healthy living and longevity are important for the DGNB certificate as well as for international assessment systems such as BREEAM or LEED. KEIM products make a valuable contribution here and are used in numerous certified buildings worldwide. The product-specific information is provided in sustainability data sheets.

The first KEIM interior paint, KEIM Biosil, was awarded the IUG seal of approval "Suitable for allergy sufferers" back in 2003 - an independent test mark from the Institute for Environment and Health, which identifies products that are particularly low in emissions and contain no allergenic or irritant ingredients and are therefore ideal for sensitive areas such as bedrooms, children's rooms or healthcare facilities.

KEIM's environmental management system was certified to ISO 14001 back in 1998. Since then, it has been audited annually. In this way, we not only optimise internal processes with regard to environmental impact, but also support our customers and suppliers in the efficient use of energy resources. Our certificate can be downloaded here.

With the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN Global Compact is pursuing the vision of a sustainable economy for the benefit of all people, communities and markets. Construction has a significant impact on the SDGs. That is why KEIM, as the world's leading specialist in mineral building protection, wants to do all it can to help create sustainable, healthy and environmentally friendly living spaces.

We are very proud to be the winner of the German Sustainability Award 2026 in the Paints and Coatings category. KEIMFARBEN has already been one of three finalists in each of the last three years. The German Sustainability Award (DNP) honours companies with pioneering contributions to the transformation towards a sustainable future. The award is Germany's most prestigious recognition for exemplary ecological and social achievements. As the largest award of its kind in Europe, the DNP aims to encourage business and the municipal sector to act sustainably and to disseminate successful solutions.