AkzoNobel Transportation
July 2014 www.coatingsworld.com Coatings World | 89
investing the necessary funds. Despite challenging economic
conditions, at AkzoNobel we have actually increased our R&D
spend in recent years. Over €370m was invested in research and
development last year, two-thirds of which was focused purely
on sustainability.
The fruits of this investment at AkzoNobel can be seen
in products such as Intersleek. This solution enables ocean-going ships to move faster and use less fuel through the
use of anti-fouling coatings. Another example is a world
class basecoat/clearcoat system we have developed for
aeroplanes which has redefined the application process.
Requiring one coat instead of the usual two or three, it
dries in two hours (rather than ten) and offers lower dirt
pick-up, resulting in less need for cleaning. The potential
weight reduction brought about by using less paint also
means improved fuel efficiency.
It is also important for companies to recognize when they
need to work with others. An “open innovation” approach is
being employed increasingly by corporations who realize that
they can no longer rely solely on internal resources to maintain
a competitive edge.
Businesses need to fully embrace the model of open innova-
tion. Why? Simply because in a world whose pace is getting
faster and faster, it’s difficult, if not impossible, for compa-
nies to have all the knowledge, skills and know-how available
in-house to take ideas into the market place quickly or cost-
effectively enough.
Organizations need to work up and down the value chains with
others who have complementary capabilities to their own – suppliers
with whom they can work to develop more sustainable raw materials; customers and end users who can guide them in their market
needs and trends; and universities of course that can help them identify emerging sciences that can be developed into useful technologies.
In summary, incremental improvements will not be enough if
we are to successfully tackle the sustainability challenges facing
the transportation sector. It is only by delivering radical solutions and developing big and bold innovations that we will be
able to drive significant change. Companies that can provide
this will ultimately stand to benefit. CW
AkzoNobel is a leading global paints and coatings company and
a major producer of specialty chemicals. We supply industries
and consumers worldwide with innovative products and are passionate about developing sustainable answers for our customers. Our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux,
Sikkens, International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam,
the Netherlands, we are consistently ranked as one of the leaders in the area of sustainability. With operations in more than 80
countries, our 50,000 people around the world are committed
to excellence and delivering Tomorrow’s Answers Today.
