BCF AWARDS 2017
Sustainable Innovation Award
Sponsored by
Winner : AkzoNobel Decorative Paints UK Ashington - AkzoNobel ’ s Most Sustainable Plant Ever
Congratulations to the finalists
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 Decorative Paints UK : Ashington - AkzoNobel ’ s Most Sustainable Plant Ever
• Beckers Group : Beckers Sustainability Index
• Inter-GreeN UK Sustainability : Recycle , Reuse , Reduce
• PPG : Waste Minimization Program
• PPG : Johnstone ’ s Trade Cleanable Matt
• PPG : Energy Reduction Program
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 .
What the judges said
“ Ashington represents a major step forward in sustainable manufacturing for the paint industry . It utilises cutting edge technology integrated into a very flexible plant , which can deliver large and small batches of paint at new levels of efficiency in terms of energy , labour and materials . It is designed to deliver step change improvements , when compared to the plants that it has replaced , in terms of a 50 % reduction in carbon footprint , 60 % reduction in energy use ( with 100 % renewable and 10 % generated on site from PV and biomass ), 75 % reduction in VOC emissions , 50 % reduction in material losses and a 50 % reduction in waste . We also looked at the societal benefits of this innovation , and to date it has helped complete 37 community projects in the local area and over 100 job opportunities .”
- Judges of BCF ’ s Sustainable Innovation Award : Peter Collins , Dr Forbes McDougall , Professor Mike North , Dr Nichola Hutson
22 Covered Spring 2018