Gian Pattista Pècere/Antonio Grillo – PITTURE E VERNICI EUROPEAN COATINGS MAGAZINE
Ard Raccanello, a company which was established in 1939 in Padova, manufactures a complete range of products for the construction industry: from the traditional water based wall paints for interior to the well known lime putty, from the professional high performance finishes for exterior to the products for building coating which greatly improves the energy consumption rates.
he beginning of the story of this company starts with Dante Aurelio Raccanello, whose ‘ARD’ name comes from, together with his sons Gino and Giuseppe, who founded a grocery store in Delle Erbe Square, in the old town centre of Padua where he took its first steps in the world of colours so as to become an important reference in the area. Over the years, the company, which adopted the face of the Indian as its visual ‘icon’, expanded and during the economic boom in Italy, in 1961, Dante decided to move production from the city centre to the industrial area of the city, equipping itself with a new solvent plant, where the company’s headquarters are still located today.
Throughout the years featuring a steady growth, thanks to the careful and far-sighted company management, Ard Raccanello succeeded in making a very important partnership with the Goodyear company for the supply from the Americam manufacturer of the Pliolite polymer, which would be used as the main resin for many formulations of paints and coatings bringing the main performances for many products for exterior featurig an excellent durability over time.
This partnership showed to be essential for expanding the range of products offered to the building and construction market and for constant investments in Research and Development of new products and finishes for multiple substrates. Furthermore, in 1986, Ard introduced the second Italian-made tinting system to the market, allowing retailers to colour directly enamels and paints, starting from basic white shades. This allows to decrease the stock and meet faster customers’ needs. Throughout the years, the company went on growing on the Italian market also due to the management by Ilaria Raccanello, so that the new manufacturing needs pushed the company in 2003 to invest in a new plant in Rovigo.
The vertical plant reduces the impact of land occupation, and the production processes implemented here guarantee effective performance in terms of results and environmental sustainability.
The sustainability Report by Ard Raccanello represents another meaningful step forward toward a company management which is more and more responsible, a report worked out in compliance with the main reference standards and in line with the ambitious goals and future challenges.
This growth has been highly promoted by the current Chief Executive Officer, Luigi Gorza, who became a member of ARD to work together with Ilaria Raccanello, mirroring the company’s commitment toward a social and environmental responsibility.
The company’s growth proves that we continue to be a leading industry of this sector, offering products used in the protection, care, and restoration of buildings, with the aim of adding value and creating places where people’s well-being comes first. A wellbeing that we also want to transfer to the entire company team.
The Company actively engages in effective initiatives to responsibly manage resources and limit its environmental impact by promoting energy efficiency, reducing the use of single-use plastic, and adopting more sustainable daily practices.
Ard Raccanello is committed to ensuring efficient environmental management at its production sites of Castelguglielmo (RO) and in Padova, where also this latter, at the end of 2024, obtained the important ISO 14001 certification.
This is a significant milestone that proves an actual commitment to improving its performance—by implementing sustainable production and raw material management throughout all stages of production and the entire company organization, also providing a framework for the effective implementation of the Environmental Management System (EMS). The ISO 14001 certification process involves ongoing monitoring and commitment to maintaining and expanding the results achieved. Various factors contribute to improving ARD’s operations. One of the key elements is the water used, both in the production process and in cleaning the facilities. In 2023, the reduction in water consumption per kg of product was 1.25% compared to the previous year.
The production plant adopts a closed-loop approach, with the exception of the storage silo refilling phase.
This avoids the emission of pollutants, both internally and externally, ensuring minimal environmental impact, reducing VOC emissions into the atmosphere by 12% in 2023. Waste management is also a constant focus: the company has adopted a series of policies and initiatives aimed at reducing waste production, ensuring proper separation and appropriate final disposal.
The implementation of this environmental policy has resulted in reduced consumption, with 100% of electricity generated from renewable sources, optimized and more efficient use of water resources, and a 20% reduction in direct CO2 emissions.
Environmental awareness goes beyond this. The company consider people the main focus of its strategy, investing in ongoing training, skills development, and in the well-being of its employees.
By enhancing individual skills and knowledge, the company is at the forefront of enhancing its human resources to create an increasingly stimulating and inclusive work environment.
The implementation of this corporate philosophy is an integral part of a specific sustainable growth strategy aimed at creating an increasingly flexible work environment where people can play a leading role and fully express their potential, both inside and outside the company.
This is why ARD Raccanello has recently obtained the ‘Great Place to Work 24/25 Certification’.
The Company has engaged in continuimg on the path of sustainability, focusing on the environment and people, which will lead to an improvement not only in economic performance but above all in life for future generations.
