As a leading producer of decorative and industrial coatings and a diverse range of specialty chemicals, AkzoNobel’s core areas of competence in Science & Technology lie in the Chemical and Materials Sciences.
The business RD&I groups retain expertise in these areas according to their needs. Polymer chemistry is a common competence across the entire breadth of our coatings businesses where the capabilities include: synthesis; modification; thermal-, chemical- and photo-curing/cross-linking; processing of a broad range of synthetic and natural polymer systems, including acrylics, epoxies, polyesters, polyurethanes and polysaccharides.
Individual coatings businesses have expertise in a broad range of materials sciences including corrosion, adhesion, surface and interfacial, film and color sciences.
The core competences of the Specialty Chemicals businesses include synthetic organic, inorganic and organo-metallic chemistry, electrochemistry and natural product chemistry. Process chemistry and process engineering are key capabilities across the Business Area and these are supported by the expertise in capital projects and manufacturing processes, as well as sustainability, safety, health, environmental and regulatory affairs, of various organizations within AkzoNobel.
There are a number of areas of cross-over in the technical capabilities of our coatings and specialty chemicals businesses. For example, in the natural polymer chemistry interests of Surface Chemistry and Pulp & Paper Chemicals; the interfacial and surface science interests of Surface Chemistry, and polymerization chemistry interests of Functional Chemicals. So where there are areas in which there is a common need for expertise across the company, we have set up a number of Expert Capability Groups to focus these strengths.
The ECGs are complemented by our system of Communities of Practice. These are virtual “super networks” of experts in particular fields whose role it is to ensure that we share and make the best possible use of the product knowledge, applications know-how and customer needs that we hold within the company by bringing together technical and other experts in innovation.
Visit these pages to find out more about the R&D capabilities in some of our businesses:
Pulp & Paper Chemicals Innovation
Powder Coatings Innovation
Marine & Protective Coatings R&D
Wood Finishes & Adhesives Product Innovation