AkzoNobel Opens Powder Coatings Innovation Lab
AkzoNobel’s new lab will mainly focus on accelerating the development of next generation powder coatings.
A new €7.5
million innovation lab has been inaugurated by AkzoNobel at its Sassenheim site in the Netherlands,
strengthening the company’s largest
global R&D center.
Officially
opened by Dutch Minister of Climate and Green Growth, Stientje van Veldhoven, the facility – primarily focused on powder coatings – will help to accelerate the development of
more sustainable, solvent-free and energy-efficient coating solutions.
“We’ve
established a global reputation for pioneering product innovation and the new lab will be pivotal in
ensuring that we continue to innovate with impact,” said Frank Vergeer, R&D Director of AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business.
“As well as
strengthening our leadership in powder coating technologies, this investment
will also expand the company’s wider innovation capabilities in coating performance,
application and advanced particle analysis.”
The new lab
will mainly focus on accelerating the development of
next generation powder coatings – including lower temperature curing technologies that can further reduce energy use – as well as solutions that will support customer
productivity improvements. In-depth research will also be carried out to identify new opportunities, such as helping
to extend product lifetimes, and reduce maintenance and material use.
By
developing these solutions, AkzoNobel will enhance its ability to cut carbon
emissions across the value chain. The company has already reduced CO₂ emissions in its own operations (Scopes 1 and 2, baseline 2018) by 50% – four years ahead of schedule.
“The name
of my ministry - Climate and Green Growth - is no coincidence”, added Minister
Van Veldhoven. “We don't just want to reduce emissions; we want to make sure
the Netherlands stays at the forefront of clean technologies. This lab fits
that ambition perfectly. It shows that sustainability and economic opportunity
go hand in hand.”
AkzoNobel
employs around 2,700 R&D professionals worldwide across 70 laboratories and has invested more than €1.3 billion in research and development over the last five years.
