Painting a deeper shade of green

FOR leading specialty chemicals and paints maker AkzoNobel, sustainability is far more than just a buzzword used to burnish its green credentials. Rather, it forms the driving force of the Dutch company's business, not only influencing the way it manufactures and markets its products, but also how it sources for raw materials and conducts research and development (R&D).

Therefore, three of the six strategic ambitions of AkzoNobel include specific sustainability targets. These include an increase in revenue from products that provide a sustainability benefit to the customer, a reduction of carbon-equivalent emissions and resource efficiency improvements across the full value chain.

"In AkzoNobel, sustainability is a way of thinking, of seeking resource efficiency, and we call it the 'Planet Possible' approach. We think of it as a new lens in which to view the world differently and help us to meet our goal of delivering more value with fewer resources," said Jeremy Rowe, managing director, AkzoNobel Decorative Paints, South East & South Asia, Middle East.