AkzoNobel Inaugurates €7.5 Million Innovation Lab in the Netherlands

AkzoNobel has inaugurated a new €7.5 million innovation lab at its Sassenheim site in the Netherlands, strengthening its largest global R&D center.

The facility was officially opened by Dutch Minister of Climate and Green Growth, Stientje van Veldhoven. Primarily focused on powder coatings, the new lab will support the development of more sustainable, solvent-free and energy-efficient coating solutions, helping accelerate innovation in the coatings industry.

“We’ve established a global reputation for pioneering product innovation and the new lab will be pivotal in ensuring that we continue to innovate with impact,” said Frank Vergeer, R&D Director of AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business.  

“As well as strengthening our leadership in powder coating technologies, this investment will also expand the company’s wider innovation capabilities in coating performance, application and advanced particle analysis.” 

The new laboratory will primarily focus on accelerating the development of next-generation powder coatings, including low-temperature curing technologies designed to reduce energy consumption. It will also develop solutions aimed at improving customer productivity.

The facility will conduct in-depth research into new opportunities to extend product lifetimes while reducing maintenance requirements and material consumption. These innovations are expected to strengthen AkzoNobel’s ability to reduce carbon emissions across the value chain.

AkzoNobel has already cut CO₂ emissions from its own operations (Scopes 1 and 2, against a 2018 baseline) by 50%, achieving the target four years ahead of schedule.

“The name of my ministry - Climate and Green Growth - is no coincidence”, added Minister Van Veldhoven. “We don't just want to reduce emissions; we want to make sure the Netherlands stays at the forefront of clean technologies. This lab fits that ambition perfectly. It shows that sustainability and economic opportunity go hand in hand.”

AkzoNobel has around 2,700 R&D professionals working across 70 laboratories worldwide and has invested more than €1.3 billion in research and development over the past five years.

Source: AkzoNobel