A new value chain partnership between AkzoNobel, Arkema, and BASF has achieved a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of architectural powder coatings.
The collaboration has resulted in a 40% lower carbon footprint for AkzoNobel’s Interpon brand of superdurable coatings, which are essential for protecting buildings and infrastructure. This initiative aims to help reduce the embodied carbon of buildings throughout their life cycle.
A new approach to carbon reduction:
The reduction in carbon footprint was achieved by replacing generic industry data with two key methods:
Supplier-Specific Data: The partners now use supplier-specific Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data, which provides a more accurate calculation reflecting individual investments in process efficiencies and the use of renewable electricity.
Bio-Attributed Materials: The coatings now incorporate bio-attributed raw materials from BASF. These materials have a PCF of zero and are transformed by Arkema into low-carbon resins for AkzoNobel’s products.
This collaborative approach leverages the unique strengths of each company, from BASF’s raw material innovation to Arkema’s transformation process, to create a more sustainable product.
Thought leadership:
According to Jeff Jirak, Director of AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business, this collaboration is “a major step forward for the paints and coatings industry” and helps customers meet their environmental goals. Vasilios Galanos of BASF highlighted the company’s commitment to providing sustainable solutions, while Richard Jenkins of Arkema noted that the partnership demonstrates the potential for even greater decarbonization efforts in the future.
The path to a sustainable future:
The companies have published an industry case study to encourage broader adoption of similar strategies. This move from generic data to specific, bio-attributed materials demonstrates that meaningful decarbonization requires transparency and cooperation across the entire supply chain. The partners plan to continue their work and are inviting a wider network of companies to join them in accelerating the industry’s sustainable transformation.
