transform the lives of Rwandese by creating more job opportunities and contributing to the country’s economic growth
as it also aims to establish a paint factory
in Rwanda.
“We aim to recruit more customers
and equip them with knowledge on our
paints portfolio. There is a boom in the
construction sector in Rwanda and consumer tastes are changing fast, with more
people using texture and stone finishes,”
said Rao.
The opening of the showroom in
Rwanda comes after Crown Paints
opened a depot in Kigali six months
ago. According to Rao, the firm has
full confidence in the Rwanda market
and believes it’s the next frontier for its
growth in the coming years. “With the
rise in construction, Rwanda market
has posed great opportunity for Crown
Paints and we have gained a great level
of stability in a short period. The market
offers a lot of opportunity for quality
paints,” he explained.
The showroom will also serve cus-
tomers from the Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) and Burundi.
AkzoNobel’s Polymer
Chemistry Business Wins
2015 JEC Group Innovation
Award
AkzoNobel has received the 2015 JEC
Innovation Award for its patented cure
system for bio fiber reinforced composites in the competition’s Resins category.
The company will receive its award during the JEC Europe Composites Show in
Paris March 10-12, 2015.
AkzoNobel received the JEC
Innovation Award based on the development of its new technology that removes
barriers and allows for the adoption of
sustainable bio fibers to be used by composite producers.
Fiber reinforced composites are found
in a wide variety of consumer, industrial
and infrastructure products. Specifically,
many if not all of these products rely
on glass fiber reinforcements.
While glass fibers are adequate,
alternative bio-based reinforce-
ments offer a number of advan-
tages to manufacturers including a much
lower CO2 footprint, light weight and
high-performing product properties.
Application of bio fibers in unsaturated polyester (UP) composites requires
drying of hygroscopic fibers. After drying,
immediate processing is required to prevent moisture take-up, which can make
the application of bio fibers complicated
and cumbersome.
“We are convinced that this innovation can have a significant influence on
the adaptation of bio fibers in the unsaturated polyester composite industry,”
said Markus Majoor, global market segment leader for AkzoNobel’s Thermoset
business. “We look forward to sharing
both the commercial and technical aspects of this innovative cure system with
our existing and prospective customers at
the JEC Paris and we intend to build a
