Sofap, a responsible and environmentally conscious company, continues its commitment to sustainable development. As of November 20, 2021, three of Sofap’s most popular paints are now available under the EcoEarth label: Permoglaze Matt Emulsion, Xtreme White, and Soft Feel. It’s worth noting that Sofap was the first Mauritian company in the paint industry to obtain the MS 189 “Mauritian Ecolabel” certification from the Mauritius Standards Bureau in February 2020.

Eric Adam, Managing Director of Sofap, emphasizes the importance of sustainable development for the company and its management. Sofap has already committed to a zero-waste approach by 2023. “It is essential and urgent to address environmental and social challenges. Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute. I am also convinced that businesses can be important drivers of change to meet these challenges. It is in this spirit that we have committed Sofap to this path by integrating the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) at the heart of our development strategies.”

An EcoEarth label for eco-friendly products

Today, the EcoEarth label takes on its full meaning with the inclusion of Permoglaze Matt Emulsion, Xtreme White, and Soft Feel. These products meet the requirements of the MS189 standard for interior and exterior paints. This Ecolabel certification guarantees that a product complies with strict environmental criteria. As such, these paints under the EcoEarth label are now formulated according to very strict environmental impact standards as defined in the MS189 certification. They have been developed from new generations of raw materials with less environmental impact. The production process is also designed to be environmentally friendly. These products are therefore aimed at customers particularly concerned about the environmental performance of the products they use. This range is particularly suitable for large-scale real estate projects such as Smart Cities that integrate environmental impact into their specifications.

Support for the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation

Sofap’s EcoEarth range is part of a partnership with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF), whose mission is to preserve threatened endemic species in Mauritius. To support MWF’s conservation work, the three paints Permoglaze Matt Emulsion, Xtreme White, and Soft Feel are associated with three protected species.

The Matt Emulsion introduces the large green parrot, the last endemic parrot of the Mascarenes. In the 1970s, its population was estimated at only 20 wild birds. Thanks to the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation’s conservation program, there are now more than 700 birds. A beautiful photo of the marsh pigeon adorns the Xtreme White paint can. It is one of the rarest pigeons in the world. From only nine individuals recorded in 1990, the population has now increased to 450 wild birds. The Soft Feel can feature the ornate day gecko or famous “Lezar Ver,” whose population has declined over the years. The reasons for this include habitat destruction, predators, and the introduction of exotic predatory or competing species. Today, the lizard population on the islets is increasing, but it remains vulnerable to extinction.

Benoît de Lapeyre, Fundraiser at the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, highlights the importance of the partnership: “Sofap has demonstrated that it is an environmentally responsible company through its management of the production process and the development of a whole range of eco-friendly products. Having first contributed to the work of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation through the Taylor Smith Foundation, the company has now opted for a more direct partnership, which strengthens its eco -responsible image.

The partnership developed with the new EcoEarth range allows Sofap to provide financial support for the conservation projects of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation while raising awareness within the community about the challenges affecting our biodiversity and its delicate balance.

Painting or repainting our homes is about taking care of our living spaces and the environment in which we live. We must also take care of our natural heritage and biodiversity, protect our forests, which are the habitats of our endangered endemic fauna, just as we protect our homes. This is the message this campaign aims to convey to Mauritians.”

Eric Adam concludes: “At Sofap, we are pleased to offer consumers innovative and environmentally friendly products that are in line with the latest technologies available in the international world of paints and coatings. We make sure to evolve our products to meet environmental requirements as effectively as possible. This transition towards increasingly eco-friendly paints and coatings will remain one of the priority areas of our development.”