The establishment of the Arabian Danish Paint Company in 1976 saw the birth of a new breed of Saudi manufacturer: a 100 per cent locally-owned company using quality and technology from established international industry specialist Dyrup & Company of Denmark to provide world-class paints and coating products developed for regional needs.

The company's mission statement has always reflected the vision of an organisation which embodies environmentally-friendly paints overseen by a professional management team which understands its markets, says Essam Balkhyour, general manager for the Riyadh-based company.

Twenty seven years on, time has shown not only the fulfilment of its vision, but also rising regional demand for world-class eco-friendly paint products. Thanks to its continuous investments in technology and research, Arabian Danish Paint Company says it was the first paint company to launch environmentally-friendly paint in Saudi Arabia.

Being water-based, the company's paints are superior products designed for traditional interior surfaces. They are specially formulated and manufactured with selected raw materials which are safe even in the often reduced ventilation environments common in the Middle East, he says.

"Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can damage their health but may not know that indoor air pollution can also have significant effects," Balkhyour says. "Indoor air pollutants are of particular concern because it is estimated that most people spend as much as 80 per cent of their time indoors.

"In the Middle East, the problem is exacerbated since reduced ventilation, combined with the use of paints containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for interior walls and furnishings, and the use of chemically-formulated care products, pesticides and household cleaners, is the norm.

"VOCs can evaporate from any normal painted wall surface into the air and may be trapped indoors, especially in tightly-sealed buildings in Saudi Arabia. VOCs may irritate the eyes, sinuses, throat and lungs, and may trigger asthma. Luckily, Dyrup has a full range of water-based VOC-free paints.

"As global environmental awareness has increased, Saudi Arabia has placed more emphasis on protecting its citizens from environmental hazards. Saudi Arabian Meteorology and Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA) has attempted to forge a delicate balance, especially with oil and gas-driven pollution. Moreover, many environmentalists increasingly point fingers at the importance of pollution control."

In the area of paint research and development, Arabian Danish Paint Company meets the challenge of environmentally-friendly products by providing Dyrup's eco-friendly products for a safer, greener and cleaner environment which brings Dyrup to the forefront of local markets and gives it a competitive edge for further growth, Balkhyour claims.

Its modern manufacturing facilities are constantly being upgraded with the latest technology, a policy which has earned it ISO 9002 international quality certification.

Over the next three years, the company says it aims to increase turnover by 50 per cent by adopting a specific sector-marketing strategy to develop Saudi and regional markets. Apart from the Dyrup Gold range, its focus will be on diversified, environmentally-friendly paints, which are expected to be the main growth area in the near future.

"The strengths it has developed over the past decades have given the company confidence in achieving its objectives. Indeed, the ability to bring environmentally-friendly paints and their technology to Saudi Arabia will remain the hallmark of the Arabian Danish Paint Company, according to the company," Balkhyour asserts.