Glossary of terms
The eNPS survey – (Employee Net Promoter Score) a survey, which monitors employee feedback and satisfaction levels.
BMS – Building Management System.
Construction chemicals – a wide group of products used in construction as construction, insulating or finishing materials, both within the primary market activity and for finishing works. The Śnieżka Group’s product portfolio includes: products based on mineral and/or organic binders (produced in the form of dry mixtures intended for use after mixing with water, or ready-to-use products) and decorative materials forming an external coating (paints, varnishes, agents, primers, etc.).
CSRD – Directive (EU) 2022/2464 on corporate sustainability reporting.
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.
ESRS – European Sustainability Reporting Standards.
Ceramic paint – a type paint with the addition of ceramic components. It forms coatings resistant to dirt and scrubbing. It is recommended for all interior areas within the building, including those exposed to heavy duty use.
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.
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.
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.
VOCs – volatile organic compounds, a group of organic substances harmful to health, which easily evaporate and thus turn into a gas or vapour state.
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.
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.
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.
Decorative systems – decorative products (paints, adhesives) sold under the Magnat brand that provide the decorated surface with a variety of visual and structural effects.
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 mortars, plasters (renders), paints, primers, undercoats, reinforced mesh, mosaic plasters.
Carbon footprint – the total sum of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or indirectly by the undertaking. 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.