AkzoNobel Sets the Tone of Eco-solutions in China     

As a chain effect of its accelerated urbanization and industrialization, the Chinese society is expecting a soaring demand on housing for years ahead. The Powder Coatings unit of AkzoNobel China not just reads this as a signal of enormous business opportunities, but also an urge for taking prompt actions in delivering an eco-friendly education to the local marketplace.
   Obviously the market potentials for powder coatings in China are enormous but it is by no means a home run.
   David Bong, Marketing Manager AkzoNobel Powder Coatings Asia Pacific, explained that the concept "coatings are more of a process than a product" has not been fully appreciated in the China market. In general developers are only aware of the brands but not the standards of powder coatings. The fact of powder coatings as an integral part of a total "green" building solution is often neglected.  
   "Therefore developers may select products which are not necessarily environmental friendly based on price consideration," Bong said," in view of the fast-growing pace of the local housing sector, the impact of environmental unfriendly coatings would be substantial if the aforementioned mindset is not rectified."
   AkzoNobel powder coatings are VOC-free and cost-effective comparable to the traditional liquid coating application. Overspray can be recycled and reused. Its coating integrity and color consistency can last for 10 to 20 years depending on product category.
   In June 2009, AkzoNobel inaugurated its Powder Coatings Technology Centre in Ningbo, Zhejiang province to serve the strategic market sectors.
   AkzoNobel has signed a cooperation agreement with Wuhan Tunkou Development Zone in February 2010. Another new powder coatings plant will soon be built in Wuhan to further meet the growing market demand in China.
   AkzoNobel China achieved an increase of 8% in architectural powder coatings sales for 2009 and the growth momentum is expected to continue.