AkzoNobel Achieves Major Carbon Reduction Milestone Ahead of 2030 Target

AkzoNobel has achieved its 2030 target of reducing Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 50%, reaching the milestone four years ahead of schedule. The target, set in 2020 using 2018 as the baseline and validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), reflects the company's continued focus on sustainability and reducing emissions across its operations.

“We set out a clear vision to become carbon neutral by 2050 and we’re very proud to have taken an important step towards realizing that goal,” says Wijnand Bruinsma, AkzoNobel’s Director of Sustainability. “As a leader in the global paints and coatings industry, we also aim to be recognized for our leadership in sustainability – and that’s not going to stop. Because it’s all about leading by example; managing carbon emission reduction in our own operations so we can convince the value chain to do the same.”

The company now operates on 100% renewable electricity across North America, Latin America, and Europe, covering 69% of its manufacturing sites. It has also completed the transition to renewable electricity at its facilities in South Africa and Vietnam, bringing the total number of sites powered entirely by renewable electricity to 92.

A key contributor to this achievement was a €1.7 million investment at AkzoNobel's Pilawa facility in Poland, where gas-fired boilers were replaced with energy-efficient heat pumps. The site also houses the company's largest solar power installation in Europe, with 3,551 solar panels that have been operational since 2024.

“We’re not just focused on our own operations,” continues Bruinsma. “We also have a 2030 ambition to halve carbon emissions across our full value chain. That’s proving to be more of a challenge, but we’re making progress and will continue to innovate with suppliers, customers and other partners as we step up our efforts around Scope 3.”

To further support sustainability across the value chain, AkzoNobel's Interpon powder coatings brand has introduced the Eco+ Cure energy calculator. The tool helps customers reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and cut carbon emissions by analysing operational data such as gas usage, oven temperature, and production throughput.

Source: AkzoNobel