• 1996

    Where it all began

    The first water-based decor printing inks were produced in a small space at this rented building in Waldstatt.

  • 1996

    A picturesque setting

    Waldstatt is located in Appenzell Ausserrhoden, a small canton in eastern Switzerland. The close proximity to the Austrian and German borders, good public transport links and picturesque surroundings all make it a very attractive location.

  • 1997

    First shipment

    Water-based inks and extenders were shipped to decor printing customers for the first time. This represented an important milestone.

  • 2003

    SME award

    St.Galler Kantonalbank presented ARCOLOR with the "KMUPrimus" award for outstanding small-to-mid-sized entrepreneurial achievements in the region.

  • 2006

    Growth requires space

    Work started on the new ARCOLOR production and administration building. The property was 13,475 square meters in size.

  • 2007

    Our new home

    The new modern building was ready for occupancy in spring 2007. Ever since, the address of ARCOLOR's headquarters has been: ARCOLOR AG, Urnäscherstrasse 50, 9104 Waldstatt.

  • 2008

    Pioneering work in digital printing

    ARCOLOR contributes pioneering work in the development of water-based inks for digital printing in the industrial sector and establishes a new, forward-looking business unit.

  • 2009

    Entry into the packaging printing industry

    Success requires innovation. ARCOLOR establishes an additional business unit and expands its range of water-based printing inks for packaging, wallpaper, foils, adhesive tapes, etc.

  • 2011

    ARCOLOR looks to China

    ARCOLOR Trading Shanghai is founded in Shanghai. The high-quality decor printing inks become very popular in the Chinese market within a very short time.

  • 2013

    Sustainable quality and safety

    Stringent requirements with respect to quality, environmental awareness, ergonomics and safety are prerequisites for mastering company processes. ARCOLOR receives certification pursuant to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.

  • 2016

    For the world of tomorrow

    ARCOLOR plays its part by procuring electricity from renewable energy sources and offsetting its CO2-emissions through the reforestation of uncultivated land in Uruguay. Production has been CO2-neutral since 2016.

  • 2017

    Distinguished as an attractive employer

    The best results are achieved in an environment in which employees encounter respect, creativity and passion. ARCOLOR continuously invests in its employees and achieves 3rd place in the Swiss Employer Award.

  • 2018

    More space required

    If you want to ensure success, you need to plan ahead accordingly. Work began on an extension to the building in Waldstatt in 2018. 18 million Swiss francs were set aside for this project.

  • 2019

    Production in China

    In order to keep up with the rapid growth of high-quality decor printing inks, ARCOLOR opens its own production facility in China, namely Quzhou Arcolor New Material Co., Ltd. in the western part of Zhejiang Province.

  • 2020

    Opening of the modern extension

    After two years of construction work, the extension is opened for utilization. It provides plenty of room for research & development, application technology, production, administration and storage. The new photovoltaic system provides part of the electricity required.

  • 2021

    Anniversary and top employer award

    ARCOLOR has been in business for 25 years. A start-up based in eastern Switzerland quickly became a global producer of water-based printing inks. At the “Swiss Employer Award 2021", ARCOLOR's employees rated the company as a top employer. They value the internal culture as well as the general conditions at the company.

  • 2023

    Groundbreaking ceremony in China

    Start of construction of the ARCOLOR plant in Quzhou, in Zhejiang Province. It will supply the Chinese market. The building with an area of 20,000 m² will be completed in 2024. The planned annual production is 15,000 tons. In addition to production, the site will provide space for warehouses, offices and laboratories.