Historic oil, silicate and lime paints for heritage conservation and restoration since 1889
Sax-Farben AG
Schlieren · UrdorfNew on Amplifa
About Sax-Farben
Sax-Farben AG is a Swiss paint and coatings manufacturer based in Schlieren, specialising in mineral and oil paints for listed buildings. The family business, founded in 1889 as Sax-Wyss & Cie. in Basel, produces historic linseed-oil-based oil paints and glazes (Saxotol), lime-casein paints (Saxolit), the two-component silicate-based mineral paint Pursilikat produced since 1899, and solvent-free wood protection oils (NawaRol). The paint systems are based predominantly on renewable raw materials and serve the preservation, protection and design of historic building fabric. Since 1935, Sax has been the only Swiss manufacturer of artist oil paints made to its own recipes. For pigment processing, the only edge runner still existing in Switzerland is operated. In 2019, the company was acquired by Bosshard-Farben AG and continued as an independent subsidiary with all jobs retained; distribution is handled via 16 Bosshard sales outlets in Switzerland.
- Site
- Schlieren, Switzerland
- Processes
- Production of historic oil paints and glazes based on linseed oil (Saxotol), Production of lime-casein paints (Saxolit, titanium-dioxide-free), Production of silicate-based two-component mineral paints (Pursilikat), Production of solvent-free impregnation/protective oil for wood surfaces (NawaRol, 100% VOC-free), Production of artist oil paints, Paint production with edge runner (historic pigment processing), Specialist consultation on heritage conservation, Distribution via 16 Bosshard sales outlets
- Materials
- Linseed oil, Lime, Casein, Silicate, Wood, Paint pigments, Natural oils (wood protection)
- Founded
- 1889
- Employees
- 30
- Industries
- Heritage conservation/monument protection, Paint and coatings industry, Restoration of historic building fabric, Artist supplies (artist oil paints), Construction/building paints for listed buildings
- 01
Procurement of paint pigments, oils and mineral raw materials
- 02
Pigment processing (edge runner)
- 03
Formulation and production of the paints
- 04
Filling and packaging
- 05
Specialist consultation and distribution via Bosshard sales outlets
Materials and Raw Materials
Linseed oil
Basis for the historic oil paints and glazes Saxotol.
Lime
Raw material of the lime-casein paint Saxolit for interior and exterior applications.
Casein
Binder component of the titanium-dioxide-free lime-casein paint Saxolit.
Silicate
Basis of the two-component mineral paint Pursilikat, produced since 1899.
Paint pigments
Foundation of paint production, originally also a trading commodity of the company.
Natural oils (wood protection)
Basis of the solvent-free, 100% VOC-free protective oil NawaRol for wood surfaces.
Locations
Schlieren
CHHead office
- Materials
- Linseed oil, lime, casein, silicate, paint pigments
- Edge runner
Urdorf
CHHistoric production site (since 1912)
- Materials
- Silicate, linseed oil, paint pigments
- Edge runner
- Paint press (historic)
Products
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production of historic oil paints and glazes based on linseed oil (Saxotol)Surface | – | – | – | – | Linseed oil, Paint pigments |
| Production of lime-casein paints (Saxolit, titanium-dioxide-free)Surface | – | – | – | – | Lime, Casein |
| Production of silicate-based two-component mineral paints (Pursilikat)Surface | – | – | – | – | Silicate, Mineral substances |
| Production of solvent-free impregnation/protective oil for wood surfaces (NawaRol, 100% VOC-free)Surface | – | – | – | – | Wood, natural oils |
| Production of artist oil paintsSurface | – | – | – | – | Oil paints, Paint pigments, Oils |
| Paint production with edge runner (historic pigment processing)Surface | – | – | – | – | Paint pigments |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edge runner | – | 1 | – | – | Urdorf/Schlieren |
| Paint press (for production/filling of oil paints, historic) | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Reference customers
History
- 1889
Founded as Sax-Wyss & Cie. in Basel by Jakob Sax and Anna Wyss; production of oil paints, trading in paint pigments and oils.
- 1899
Start of production of the two-component mineral paint Pursilikat.
- 1912
Move to the new premises near Urdorf station; Jakob Sax begins production of silicate-based two-component mineral paints, holding more than a dozen patents.
- 1935
Acquisition by Willy Sax; the product range is complemented by artist oil paints made to the company's own recipes – Sax has since been the only Swiss manufacturer of artist oil paints.
- 1946
Personal meeting between Willy Sax and Winston Churchill at the Grandhotel Dolder in Zurich; friendship with mutual visits.
- 1954
Conversion into a public limited company (Aktiengesellschaft) by Willy Sax.
- 1964
Following Willy Sax's death, the company is taken over by his daughter Maja.
- 2019
Acquisition of Sax-Farben AG by Bosshard-Farben AG; continuation as an independent subsidiary with all jobs retained.