The Veluwe is an area of extraordinary natural beauty. Its wetlands, lichen moors, and pine forests serve as home to hundreds of species of birds, insects, and animals. The factory itself is located in the small Veluwe town of Ermelo, a starting point for hikers and cyclists setting out on forested trails to explore the region. How we found it When we heard there was a company in the Netherlands with a no-compromise attitude to sustainability that produced child-safe and eco-friendly art materials we knew we had to get to know them. Getting to know them has not only been a pleasure but indeed an education into how one can work in an environmentally responsible way. The process and way of working The paint is made from 99% natural ingredients, is water-based and solvent-free. You can even eat it, although it doesn’t taste too good. At every step of its operation, the Paint Factory seeks to minimize its carbon footprint. To avoid unnecessary transportation do all the storage, production, distribution, and a large amount of the packing takes place in one central location. They only select raw materials from suppliers with a proven record of sustainability. Solar panels supply a significant part of the factory‘s energy needs, and they‘ve installed purifiers for wastewater and heat-recovery systems on several machines. About the owner The Paint Factory has been an independent family-owned business since 1963. Today, it employs 60 people making paints and modelling materials for artists, children, and hobbyists. From the very beginning, the focus has been to keep innovating to make their products safer for the environment. And also safer for children.