Glossary of terms
Wood stain and varnish – an agent for colouring wood which penetrates its structure and permanently stains its surface. It preserves the visible grain pattern and allows to level the substrate colour or mask the differences between shades.
Titanium dioxide (white) (TiO2) – the most widespread, and at the same time one of the most expensive, white inorganic pigment. The core raw material used for the production of paints featuring high coverage efficiency. First of all, it is characterized by refractive index, and thus the greatest ability to scatter it. Titanium white is obtained by the sulfate (older) or chloride (latest) method – the latter allows to obtain titanium white of better quality, used in the production of high-quality paints. Companies comprising the Śnieżka Group mainly use titanium white for production.
Construction chemicals – a group of products used in construction industry as construction, insulation or finishing materials. It includes: products based on mineral and/or organic binders (produced in the form of dry mixes intended for use after mixing with water, or ready-to-use products) and coating materials (paints, varnishes, preservatives, primers, etc.).
DIY – “Do It Yourself” – the definition of an idea related to independent, non-commercial performance, usually for one’s own needs, of various works without the help of professionals, often as part of a hobby.
The abbreviation „DIY” is also used to describe home-improvement stores, where one can find many products from various fields, with particular emphasis on technical areas (construction, interior finishing, electronics, garden decoration). These are self-service stores with a large area. The DIY market – apart from the independent market – is the second most important distribution channel for products of the Group.
ESG – environmental, social and corporate governance. Indicates the main areas of sustainable development of enterprises.
Acrylic paint – a waterborne product based on acrylic dispersion. Facade paints based on such dispersion feature high resistance to weather conditions and UV radiation. After drying and full curing, acrylic paint with a high binder content features high resistance to scrubbing or multiple washing.
Ceramic paint – a type paint with the addition of ceramic components. Three layers resistant to dirt and scrubbing. It is recommended for all interior areas within the building, including those exposed to heavy duty use.
Chlorinated rubber paint – modified with the addition of chlorinated rubber paint, features faster drying time and higher resistance to water and atmospheric pollution than conventional alkyd paints. Used for decorative and protective painting of steel and cast-iron elements used outdoors, especially exposed to external factors.
Alkyd paint – a solvent-based paint, whose binder is alkyd resin and a diluent mineral spirits or xylene. Used for decorative and protective painting of interior and exterior wood, wood-based materials, plasters and steel and cast-iron elements. It is not suitable for painting underwater elements (it softens when in contact with water).
Undercoat – provides adhesion to the substrate for decorative and topcoat paints and levels slight surface irregularities. Its coat is thick enough to break the dark colour of the substrate, which is important when applying light surface coats.
Latex paint – high-quality water-borne paint featuring efficient covering properties and high content of binder (resins). Forms a layer featuring high resistance parameters.
Matt paint – paint with a matt coating on which the light is significantly diffused; this effect allows to hide small defects of the substrate.
Oil based paint – used for decorative and protective painting of wood and metal. Generally, it is characterized by high resistance to disinfectants, atmospheric and mechanical factors, and also features a non-flammable coating. Due to its properties, it is recommended for application in living quarters, in health care facilities, schools and areas intended for storing food products (without direct contact with food).
Satin paint – a paint containing high-quality resins and pigments. It reflects the light to a large extent, which makes the room bright. It features high resistance to washing and scrubbing.
Formaldehyde -volatile organic compound, occurring e.g. in construction materials, furniture, everyday products; toxic in high concentrations. The innovative formula applied in Magnat Ceramic Care contains a formula that reduces the level of formaldehyde in the air, picking and converting it into water vapour molecules during a chemical process.
Formulation – is a document informing about the qualitative and quantitative composition of the product, as well as the method of its production (the sequence of individual steps taken during the production process).
Putty – a construction material whose main binder is gypsum (natural or synthetic). It is used for final finishing of wall and ceiling surfaces by hand or machine.
Primer – an acrylic resin formulation that perfectly penetrates the substrate. It binds all loose particles and strengthens its surface. It reduces and levels the substrate absorption, retains water which contributes to proper drying of subsequently applied products including: adhesives, putties and paints.
Enamel primer – a product that combines primer, undercoat and topcoat. Applied for anticorrosive painting of steel, cast iron, metal, wood and wood-based materials as well as for restoration of old coatings.
Technical data sheet – contains necessary information on the use of the product, its benefits and basic technical parameters, as well as issues related to storage and transport.
Safety data sheet – informs about the classification of the product, including the hazards it poses, and indicates what safety measures should be taken when using a specific product.
Stain and varnish – a product intended for painting interior and exterior wood and wood-based materials combining the features of varnish and stain. It provides a thin flexible protective and decorative coating and stains wood, partially penetrating its structure. Available also in colourless version.
Varnish – a solution or suspension of film-forming agents (e.g. oils, natural or synthetic resins) used to cover the surface of objects for decorative and protective purposes.
Acrylic varnish – a fast-drying varnish featuring higher resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage. Used for protective and decorative varnishing of interior furniture, panelling, wooden and wood-based objects as well as toys for children.
Pigments – substances used for dying paints and varnishes. Due to their origin, they are divided into organic and inorganic ones. Generally, the more pigments in the paint the higher covering efficiency. One of the most popular pigments used in the production of paints is titanium white.
Chlorinated rubber undercoat – a protective agent intended for anti-corrosive priming of exterior steel and cast-iron elements. It features higher resistance to mechanical damage and scratches.
Washings – a commonly accepted form defining the type of waste generated from group 08 (waste from production, preparation, trade and use of protective coatings), i.e. water suspensions of non-hazardous paints and varnishes; liquid resulting from rinsing the dish, containing residues of the washed substance.
Sealing and fixing products – silicones, adhesives and foams.
Solvent – an ingredient found in paints and varnishes. Water or a solvent can be a diluent (e.g., mineral spirits, xylene). It is responsible for application properties, such as the thickness of the applied coating using a painting tool, easy application and drying time. Water is used in emulsion paints.
CLP Regulation – Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EC) No. 1272/2008 of December 16, 2008 on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
CRP Regulation – Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 laying down harmonized conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC.
REACH Regulation – Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 18, 2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) and establishment of the European Chemicals Agency. The purpose of this Regulation is to ensure a high level of health and environmental protection, including promotion of alternative methods for assessment of hazards of substances, as well as free circulation of substances in the internal market while supporting competitiveness and innovation.
Independent market, a market on which companies operate independently of each other, mainly commercial and service ones, based on handling contractors, investors and final consumers in the local scope of activity. Retail stores are handled indirectly by distributors and are mostly non-affiliated – operate independently.
SKU – (Stock Keeping Unit) codes used to identify and track storage units.
Binders (resins) – natural or synthetic substances that bind pigments and fillers in paints with each other and with the substrate. They ensure paint properties such as: wash and scrub resistance and gloss. Generally, the higher the resin content, the higher the quality and resistance of the paint.
The BREEAM system – Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method is a method of certification of buildings that considers factors of their impact on the environment and functionality for users.
Decorative systems – decorative products (paints, adhesives) that provide the decorated surface with a variety of visual and structural effects sold under the Magnat brand.
Thermal insulation system – a set of construction materials for thermal insulation of a building together with a plaster coating and products for facade renovation. The Group’s offer in this scope (within the Foveo Tech brand) includes: adhesive mortar, plaster (render), paint, primers, undercoat, reinforced mesh, mosaic plaster.
Carbon footprint – the total sum of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or indirectly by the organization. The carbon footprint includes emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases expressed in CO₂ equivalent.
Fillers – substances insoluble in the binder or water used to modify or affect some of the physical properties of paints. Fillers regulate the viscosity, thickness and structure of the coating, as well as the gloss/matt degree of the paint.
Direct purchases – purchase of products such as raw materials, packaging, labels, stickers, auxiliary packaging.
Indirect purchases – purchase of services and products such as technical and advertising materials and commercial goods.
Washability – the property of the coating, featuring easy stains and dirt removal according to PN-EN ISO 11998:2007.