Spotlight: ProNature Celebrates 25 Years

ProNature is committed to supplying the market with non-toxic, earth-friendly products with a remarkable variety of concrete and timber finishes and cleaning products suitable for residential and commercial spaces. As they celebrate 25 years in the market, we decided to chat to Sandra Venzke,  COO at ProNature South Africa about the brand’s philosophy and how it continues to evolve.

Sandra, please tell us more about ProNature. How many years have you been in the industry and how has the focus changed in the last 25 years?

ProNature was founded by Bernhard Lembeck, known as “The Green Chemist”, in 1997 and the first products were launched in 1998. Bernhard followed his calling to develop and manufacture the most natural and sustainable coatings technology in wood finishings and architectural paints, “Free yourself from petro-chemicals, sustainability is key” was his motto and this focus has NEVER changed for himself and us, his team, despite more than two decades of “fighting” for awareness and acceptance of environmentally sound products in the African market.  Being intrigued by Bernhard’s “green activism” I joined the company a couple of years ago with the opportunity to follow my passion of doing things right and honest in the most natural way possible.

You have a strong focus on sustainability at ProNature – Is the South African market ready and accepting of sustainable products?

“… Bernhard, we know you can make real paints …” is still ringing in our ears but these voices have started to quieten down.

The mindset is slowly shifting, despite the lacking legislation as Southern Africa is still far beyond international standards. Understandably so, as sustainable, environmentally sound quality products do come at a higher price than conventional coatings with all the “nasty” ingredients. In the end it needs to be the informed client to request such finishes and we do see a greater demand year on year.

Are any new products on the horizon?  

Over the last few months, we launched quite a few. For example, Timber Bleach, Opus Ebony, MAXBlack Pre-Stain and more but mostly excited we are launching our new Wood Sealers, WILD Colours. Inspired by nature, we have developed 18 new striking colours, which are starting to move like hot buns alongside our other 42 standard colours.

What does ProNature offer and what makes you so different?

We are still the only company in South Africa, that manufactures guaranteed eco-friendly paints, sealers and cleaners with the absence of common toxins. Our products contain only natural and sustainable ingredients to provide ecologically sound coatings, which are harmless to the health of humans, animals, and the eco- system.

The ProNature Chemists are the pioneers of natural finishes in Southern Africa and are always ahead of the time, following European paint technologies, “green” standards, and forecasts. Our natural wood and wall coatings are breathable and support the incredible thermal properties of timber homes or any other natural buildings.

The indoor and outdoor wood sealer range consists of more than sixty colours for all interior & exterior finishes.

Tell us more about the advantages of ProNature for both interior and exterior use?

Where to start and finish! Let’s put the “bragging pants” on:

• Non-toxic, biodegradable, sustainable raw materials making the products safe for the sensitive, asthma sufferers, pregnant women, children & pets
• products do not contain hazardous air pollutants, are free of crude oils chemicals and even Cobalt Driers, always following the latest European & American Standards.
• Cobalt Free,What about cobalt?- read here.
• No formaldehyde, Crystalline Silica, odour-masking agents and almost no volatile organic compounds (over 30% lower than the Green Building  Council SA recommendation).
• VOC free, What are VOC’s? – read here
• Pleasant odour – Why not odourless? – read here
• Mineral pigments and plant-based polymers, which are harvested sustainably and constitute a safe alternative to conventional synthetic systems.
• All Ingredients are listed on containers & tech data, so you know what’s in the tin, there’s no “greenwashing”
• Accompanying products for the “tricky” timber projects: Timber Bleach, Pre-Stains,Unifiers, Ebonizers, Wood Revivers and many more.
• Locally manufactured, which ensures product & colour availability and affordable pricing compared to imported brands.
• There’s no difference between conventional paints in applying ProNature Wall paints and simple Application of ProNature’s interior & exterior Wood Sealers:
• Stain & seal in one application – no sanding in between coats
• No cross-linking agent required, which gives unlimited pot life. One coat sufficient for non-traffic surfaces.
• Our passionate team is always keen to create your own customized colour or match an existing one for extensions or different types of timber.

Does ProNature provide UV Protection on exterior products and how often should one re-oil?

Yes, of course. Pigments are the UV absorber in any coating system and mineral pigments give you the same UV protection as synthetic alternatives. The rule for all: the more pigments, the better the protection. So a very low-pigmented product will give you protection but will require a maintenance coat more frequently. So depending on the colour you chose, type of timber and exposure to the elements you are looking at 6-12 months on clear/low pigmented oil, high pigmented will last 1-2 years. In general, early maintenance is key but super easy, no sanding is required. Your first re-oiling in time will extend the protective period going forward.

Any collaborations and projects you working on?

Oh yes, sooo many and every day.

• First of all, we are seeing every clients’ design as an important project for us. If it’s a wooden spoon, a chair, a kitchen, a deck, an entire house, or a chain of commercial spaces.
• Our industry collaborations with SAPMA & OCCA are ongoing and we are pleased to see that sustainability and general consciousness towards human health and our environment is developing and becoming a key topic besides product performance and all.
• As the sustainability and environmental alertness creeps into our building industry our eager ProNature Chemists are permanently engaging with manufacturers of new age natural building materials, assist with testing existing suitable coatings or develop advanced systems. A permanently very busy laboratory indeed.

 Where can I buy ProNature products?

You find ProNature at various paint & hardware retailers across Southern Africa. Please see the stockist page on our website or you simply contact us. Most convenient for many and offering our entire range of products & colours is our online shop. We’d love to assist with your project!