AkzoNobel Invests EUR 7.5 Million in Powder Coating Technologies

AkzoNobel has commissioned a new innovation laboratory at its R&D center in Sassenheim, the Netherlands, with an investment of EUR 7.5 million. The facility, which will focus particularly on powder coating technologies, aims to accelerate the development of more sustainable, solvent-free coating solutions with high energy efficiency.

AkzoNobel, which operates in the paints and coatings sector, continues its R&D investments aimed at developing next-generation products and applications in powder coating technologies. The new innovation laboratory opened at the company's Sassenheim facility in the Netherlands will strengthen the innovation capacity of AkzoNobel's global R&D infrastructure.

At the heart of the laboratory, which was brought to life with an investment of EUR 7.5 million, are coating solutions that primarily focus on powder coatings, offering lower energy consumption, being solvent-free, and having a reduced environmental impact.

The official opening of the laboratory was carried out by the Dutch Minister for Climate and Green Growth, Stientje van Veldhoven.

Will focus on low-temperature curing technologies
One of the core areas of work at the new facility will be the development of powder coating technologies that can be cured at lower temperatures. These technologies are expected to help reduce energy consumption in coating processes and create efficiency gains in customers' production processes.

R&D efforts will also focus on areas such as improving coating performance, enhancing application processes, and advanced particle analysis.

Within the scope of the new laboratory, AkzoNobel will also explore new technological opportunities that can extend the service life of products and reduce maintenance requirements and material use. These efforts are intended to contribute to reducing carbon emissions across the coatings industry's value chain.

“Will strengthen our innovation capacity”
Frank Vergeer, AkzoNobel Powder Coatings R&D Director, stated that the new laboratory will play an important role in the company's product innovation efforts.

Vergeer said, “The new laboratory will play a critical role in sustaining our effective innovation efforts. In addition to strengthening our leadership in powder coating technologies, this investment will also expand our overall innovation capacity in coating performance, application, and advanced particle analysis.”

Dutch Minister for Climate and Green Growth Stientje van Veldhoven stated that the facility is an important investment demonstrating that sustainability and economic growth can advance together.

2,700 R&D employees across 70 laboratories
AkzoNobel positions the new investment as part of its global R&D structure. The company employs approximately 2,700 R&D professionals across 70 laboratories worldwide. AkzoNobel's total investment in research and development activities over the past five years has exceeded EUR 1.3 billion.

With the new laboratory, the company plans to accelerate product development efforts particularly in powder coating technologies, targeting goals such as lower energy consumption, longer product life, and reduced material use.

AkzoNobel also states that it has reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions from its own operations by 50 percent compared to the 2018 base year, reaching this target four years ahead of schedule.

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