Meet Daniel Tordaan Barrell and Paul Contos from Rubio Monocoat: producers of durable, easy-to-apply hardwax oil wood stains and finishes. Manufactured by Muylle Facon in Belgium, Rubio Monocoat’s products are free from toxic Red List chemicals, solvents and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Both Daniel and Paul are advocates of healthy materials and deeply dedicated to putting their values into action, whether it be developing industry-leading products or advocating for material transparency both within their organisation and with peers in the industry. Our Digital Producer, Alex, and Technical Officer, Nicola, sat down with them to reflect on Rubio Monocoat’s pioneering spirit, the journey that led them to be the first coating product with a Declare label in Australia and why transparency matters.
Paul Cantos, Daniel Barrell and Nicola Smith at the Rubio Monocoat showroom, June 2023.
Alex: Before we jump into chatting about Declare, could you both introduce yourselves and tell us how you ended up at Rubio Monocoat?
Paul: I was introduced to Rubio in 2012, quite accidentally, at a trade fair overseas in Hanover, Germany. I was asked to become the importer for Australia and look after the Australasia region, which I accepted. My background is in engineering, and I’ve always had a passion for timber design. I love timber because it’s a natural, sustainable material, and what drew me to Rubio Monocoat was that the products aligned with my values. They focus on ecological products that are zero VOC, easy to apply, good for the environment, supportive of indoor air quality, and easy to maintain. That resonated with me then, and it still does today.
Daniel: It’s been an interesting journey for me. I officially started training with Rubio around mid-2012. I also have a personal connection to the company because my father invented the world-first molecular binding technology that underpins the company’s core product, Oil Plus 2C. This technology bonds the constituents of the oil to the cellulose and lignin within the timber to create unprecedented durability and coverage rates in only one coat – this is the origin point of the brand name itself, Rubio Monocoat. Although the company has many products now, Oil Plus 2C is still the bread-and-butter product.
I officially joined in 2013, but I’d already been exposed to the product long before that through its various development and formulation phases. It’s always been something I’ve been passionate about.
Alex: How did you come across Declare, and what drew you to pursuing it as a label for your products?
Paul: It was an enquiry through Arup for a particular project. They asked whether we had a Declare label for Oil Plus 2C. Once we started looking into what Declare was all about, we realised it would be a really good opportunity.
Daniel: At that stage, awareness of Declare and Red List Free products was still growing among architects. Over time, through presentations, webinars, and education, we’ve helped more people understand the benefits of the label, and that’s really helped build interest.
Alex: What role has education played in influencing the industry to use transparent products?
Paul: Daniel and I did many live presentations and webinars explaining Declare Red List Free products, and what the labels represented. It took a few years for architects and designers to really understand the value, but over time it’s absolutely helped build trust with key architects and designers. That trust has led to increased product specification across projects.
Daniel: It also aligns very naturally with Rubio’s long-standing values. Long before the brand was officially established, the products were already focused on environmental performance and innovation. The values of Rubio and Declare fit together very naturally.
Paul: That’s one of the reasons I was drawn to Rubio in the first place. They don’t develop “me too” products. Everything they create is innovative and aligned with their core environmental values.
Alex: Can you share an example of a project where having a Declare label made a tangible difference?
Daniel: There’s a major project in Perth that required Declare Red List Free products, and I think it’s fair to say we secured that project because we had the labels in place.
Paul: There were also earlier projects, including work around the [Burwood] Brickworks development, where architects were first introduced to the products through the Declare program. We’re also now partnering with other manufacturers with Red List Free products, like Weathertex, so architects can specify complete systems that align with their sustainability goals.
“Regardless of where people stand on broader climate discussions, we can all agree there’s no benefit in using more harmful materials when better alternatives exist.”
Alex: Is there a product on Declare that you’re particularly proud of?
Daniel: Oil Plus 2C is definitely the key product. It’s widely used by DIY customers, hobbyists, furniture makers, and increasingly larger manufacturers. One of the reasons people are drawn to it is because it’s safe to use, VOC free, and doesn’t off-gas. It creates a very different experience compared to many conventional products on the market. We’re also seeing larger furniture manufacturers and joinery companies switch over because worker safety is becoming a much bigger priority.
Another product we’re very proud of is DuroGrit, which is an innovative exterior wood protection system built around patented FibreGrit technology. What was exciting about DuroGrit was that when we launched it globally, we were able to launch the product and the Declare Red List Free label simultaneously.
We were fully transparent with the DuroGrit ingredients, disclosing full formulation and exact percentages. We are standard bearers and did this to encourage others to follow suit. It was a tremendous amount of work, months of collaboration between myself and Sam at the lab team in Belgium to achieve the label at time of launch. We were really proud of having the label ready on launch day.
Alex: Has Declare influenced the way Rubio develops products?
Daniel: I can’t speak directly for the Belgian lab team, but I would say that environmental standards are absolutely front of mind during development. They’re looking at standards like GREENGUARD, Eurofins, and increasingly Declare as well. Given how much value [the Belgian head office] now sees in these programs, I’d say they’re very conscious of those requirements during product development.
Alex: Is there any advice you’d give to other manufacturers considering Declare?
Daniel: I’d say: back up your claims with action. In the timber coating industry, there’s a lot of marketing language and a lot of environmental claims that aren’t always substantiated. For us, it’s always been about actions over words. If you truly believe in your products and their environmental performance, then put them through the process and get involved. I’d love to see more manufacturers come on board. The more companies that participate, the more we can collectively promote healthier, more transparent materials.
Regardless of where people stand on broader climate discussions, we can all agree there’s no benefit in using more harmful materials when better alternatives exist. Consumers, architects, and designers all have a choice. If there are products available that are safer, healthier, and Red List Free, then I believe those are the products we should be choosing.
Rubio Monocoat’s products – Durogrit, Industrial Durogrit, Oil Plus 2C and Woodcream – can be found on the Declare database.
“There’s a major project in Perth that required Declare Red List Free products, and I think it’s fair to say we secured that project because we had the labels in place.”
