will enable us to offer our cus-
tomers a comprehensive system
solution benefiting even more
from automation and digitaliza-
tion in manufacturing.”
Sonderhoff’s comprehensive portfolio
includes specialized polyurethane and sil-
icone foams as well as customized dosing
equipment and automation concepts with
high technical and engineering expertise
and a complete range of services.
In the fiscal year 2016, Sonderhoff
Holding GmbH generated sales of about
€ 60 million. The company employs
around 280 people worldwide and has
subsidiaries in five countries: Germany
(headquarters in Cologne), Austria, Italy,
the U.S. and China.
AkzoNobel Adds New
Design App to Growing
Selection of Digital Tools
for Customers
Architects, designers and specifiers can
now research and create a full coatings
specification from a mobile device following the launch of a new app from
AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business.
The Design app allows users to develop a bespoke technical specification in a
matter of minutes by offering a choice of
filters at each stage of the decision process. These filters range from type of construction material, geographical location
of project and durability requirements, to
liquid and powder coating options, color
choices and finished look.
A powerful tool which can increase
customer efficiency, the new app is the
latest addition to the rapidly growing selection of innovative digital solutions provided by AkzoNobel across its businesses.
“We realize it is time-consuming going through color cards, and then checking that products meet the necessary
requirements of durability, toughness and
weathering,” explained Russell Deane,
AkzoNobel’s Global Specification manager for the powder coatings architectural segment.
Users can find full data sheets, test reports
and property characteristics for each paint
range and finish. The app also lets users
check real-life examples of projects where
their selected products have been used.
As well as showcasing the company’s
complete range of colors and finishes -
including metallic - the app also allows
users to color match. Simply upload a
photograph of your chosen color (the
blue of a swimming pool for example)
and the app instantly searches for the
closest matches. Chosen colors can then
be built into a personalized color card.
Industry and MPs Aligned
on Future of REACH
Recently, the Environmental Audit
Committee published the results of its
inquiry into the future of chemicals
regulation after Brexit, to which the
British Coatings Federation (BCF) submitted a response.
The Committee’s report was aligned
with the views of the coatings and wider
chemical industries, reflecting the sector’s concerns on the complexities around
transferring REACH into UK law with
the Great Repeal Bill, clarification needed
from Government on REACH registrations, retention of registrations and the
difficulties of having a separate UK system of chemicals regulation.
Select Committees are made up of at
least 11 MPs from different political parties who scrutinise government policy.
The Committees publish inquiries into
specific policies and findings are reported
to Government, who formally respond to
the Committee but do not have to adopt
the recommendations.
The findings of the inquiry reflect the
results of the chemicals supply chain’s
recent Brexit survey conducted earlier in
the year.
Tom Bowtell, chief executive of the
British Coatings Federation, said: “I’m
pleased the inquiry report is synonymous
with the results of the chemical industry
survey on the future of REACH in the
UK. Over three quarters of BCF members
said that a separate UK chemical regulatory system would be bad for business,
which is acknowledged as being expensive for the taxpayer and industry.
“It’s clear from our members that
access to the single market is vital, and
it’s positive that the inquiry report notes
that the UK should negotiate to remain
a participant of REACH. I hope the
Government will pay the report heed by
taking a pragmatic approach to the fu-
ture of the UK’s chemical regulations and
provide certainty to the industry.”
The Koninklijk
Concertgebouw of
the Netherlands to be
Preserved and Protected by
AkzoNobel Products
AkzoNobel has become a sponsor of
Het Koninklijk Concertgebouw, the
Royal Concert Hall of the Netherlands,
for a period of five years. As part of the
collaboration, over the coming years
AkzoNobel will help conserve the monumental concert hall in Amsterdam with
paint and decorative products from its
Sikkens brand.
The unmatched acoustics make the
Koninklijk Concertgebouw one of the
most important concert halls in the world.
With its first concert held in 1888, a great
tradition has since been built through legendary concerts of musical magnitude.
“The Koninklijk Concertgebouw is
more than just what you see and hear
on the stage. It’s like a huge Swiss clock
which should be perfectly adjusted to
suit the concert – including the décor,”
said Simon Reinink, general director of
the Koninklijk Concertgebouw. “We are
therefore very excited about this coopera-
tion. We cherish our private character and
our building. We want to pass the concert
hall on to the next generation in top con-
dition, and AkzoNobel has the expertise
and products to make this happen.”
“I am extremely proud that we can
share our expertise with a world re-
nowned institution like the Koninklijk
Concertgebouw, thereby contributing
to the preservation of cultural heritage
in our country,” said Ruud Joosten,
member of the AkzoNobel Executive
Committee responsible for Decorative
Paints. “This year, the frontage will be
restored. We are also involved in the
painting of the ‘Grote Zaal’ (Grand
Hall). Due to our leading role in innova-
tion, sustainability, technical highlights
and color expertise, this unique build-
ing will remain beautifully and respon-
sibly preserved for future generations.”
The cooperation of AkzoNobel with
