Sustainable Innovation Award 2017
Sustainable Innovation Award 2017
AkzoNobel Decorative Paints UK Inter-GreeN UK Sustainability
Ashington - AkzoNobel’s most sustainable plant ever Recycle, Reuse, Reduce
AkzoNobel has opened its most sustainable paint plant ever in Ashington in the north east of
England. The site has pioneered a unique process technology system designed to radically reduce
environmental impacts, and also incorporates many proven sustainability innovations from other
AkzoNobel sites. From the outset embedding quality, diversity, sustainability and community were
at the heart of Ashington’s culture.
Through substantial investment in sustainable innovations, AkzoNobel Decorative Paints UK has
already reduced its carbon footprint by 25%, water usage by 34% and waste by 42% over the
last five years. Ashington is forecast to achieve further reductions of 50% carbon and 50% waste
compared to the sites which it replaces, and will reuse 100% of wash water and 90% of solvent.
AkzoNobel are particularly proud of the positive impact the site has had on its local community;
this includes completing over 37 community projects, contributing to the regeneration of the town
centre and creating meaningful employment opportunities.
Beckers Group
A part of InterChem, and located in the Netherlands specialising in collecting, processing, and
recycling chemical waste, including leftover paint and solvents. Under the Inter-GreeN brand
name, the company is producing and marketing a line of sustainable coatings for the decorative
market. These coatings consist of approximately 70 percent of regenerated raw materials
(leftover paint). Approximately 30 percent virgin raw materials are added to guarantee constant
quality and colour stability. The company introduced Inter-GreeN in the UK in 2016 with the aim
to roll-out the InterChem business model in the UK.
PPG (Architectural Coatings UK & Ireland)
Johnstone’s Trade Cleanable Matt – bringing the latest cleanable
technology to professional paint
As a brand of PPG, Johnstone’s Trade Cleanable Matt brings the latest cleanable technology to
professional paint. With advanced stain resistant technology this durable premium matt emulsion is
designed to extend painting maintenance cycles, by staying matt for longer.
Beckers Sustainability Index
Beckers has developed the Beckers Sustainability Index (BSI) as a unique tool to quantify the
sustainability of the products it develops and sells. This index describes the sustainability of their
product range in a systematic and quantifiable manner, simultaneously providing a measure of
both the material and the functional sustainability of its products. A series of data sets, including
weightings and algorithms convert basic formulation data, LCA and MSDS information into
a rated indicator score that, in turn, is consolidated into the Index. The BSI is already being
used successfully externally (up and down the value chain) to communicate and promote the
sustainability of their products and they have launched a digital tool (Beckers SI App) to help do
this. It is also proving to be a very useful tool for internal use as a means to measure and steer
Beckers’ sustainable coatings development.
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PPG (Architectural Coatings UK & Ireland)
Energy Reduction Program
The PPG UK architectural coatings business unit has seen the success of a recently introduced
Energy Reduction Program at both their Birstall and Morley sites. The installation of LED lights in
over 50% of the factory and warehouse areas combined with other energy reduction projects
have reduced energy intensity by over 15% in the last 18 months.
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