Sustainability partnerships
Innovate with us
Collaborative Innovation program
We use our collaborative innovation program to explore opportunities to innovate with external partners to accelerate more sustainable solutions for the paints and coatings industry. Our innovation challenges were initially only focused on startups, but quickly expanded to include suppliers and other value chain partners.
We paint the future and make a sustainable impact together with trusted collaborative partners by developing a shared approach, thinking creatively and following up with the next necessary steps to accelerate go to market.
Find out how to innovate with us below or click the buttons to learn more about the collaborative innovation program and see our previous challenges.
Let’s collaborate
We're looking for startups, scale-ups, suppliers, customers and researchers with innovative solutions and eagerness to further develop with AkzoNobel.
We are especially interested in innovations that could push us one step closer to achieving our 2030 sustainability ambitions.
Connect with us and explore opportunities to work together.
Innovation areas
We are looking for creative solutions in the following areas:
Efficient application and curing
We’re constantly looking for solutions that will make paint curing more efficient, while also developing the next innovations in paint application. Some of the areas we’re focusing on include: fast cure and low energy technology; radiation cure systems; improved transfer application and innovative application.
Enhanced substrate protection
Protecting surfaces and products is a priority for our customers, and our paints and coatings play a pivotal role in meeting their needs. We strive to deliver products and services that exceed their high expectations when it comes to longevity and chemical resistance. Our work includes developing innovative solutions such as novel anti-corrosive technologies, enhanced durability for future fuel applications, and application to new substrates
Sustainable materials
We want our products to make a positive contribution, while helping to protect the world around us. That’s why we work hard to develop innovative solutions that help customers to be more competitive and more sustainable. Our focus areas include alternatives to materials of concern, reduced VOC and better carbon formulations.
Functional surfaces
Paints and coatings breathe life into colors and effects. Our goal is to empower customers to unlock greater value by introducing innovative products and services that incorporate new functionalities and responsiveness. Examples include new aesthetics, coatings that promote thermal control and interactive coatings.
Carbon reduction
We’ve set science-based sustainability targets to reduce carbon emissions across our value chain by 50% (baseline 2018). Achieving this relies heavily on our collaboration with value chain partners.
Benefits of collaborating with AkzoNobel
- Year-round access to experts and top industry leaders
- Get your innovations to market faster
- Receive a tailored collaboration agreement
Meet us
Our collaborative innovation program
We launched our collaborative innovation program in 2019. This is a bold initiative to accelerate and scale more sustainable solutions for the paints and coatings industry.
Previous challenges
No great thing was ever created alone. We run a variety of programs to accelerate innovation in a win-win mode and bring new solutions to our customers.
