AkzoNobel: Leading the Way in Technology-Driven Sustainability

Sustainability has become an essential business imperative as companies face increasing pressure to minimize their environmental impact while ensuring efficiency and growth. AkzoNobel, a leader in the paints and coatings industry, exemplifies how sustainability and technology can work together to meet these goals. Through innovative methods, AkzoNobel reduces its carbon footprint and sets a benchmark for other businesses. Similarly, technology providers like Nextbitt empower organizations across industries to implement sustainable practices, offering tools to streamline operations and reduce environmental impact.

How Technology Drives Sustainability

Technology provides powerful ways to improve sustainability across industries. Accenture's recent Destination Net Zero report on the world's 2000 largest companies (G2000) highlights the challenges companies face in achieving net-zero emissions. Although 55% of global companies have reduced their operational emissions, only 16% are on track to meet net-zero emissions goals by 2050. The report emphasizes the importance of accelerating decarbonization efforts and integrating emerging technologies like AI, which only 14% of companies are using for emissions reductions.

This data underscores the need for companies to adopt digital solutions to fast-track progress and improve sustainability across industries, a goal that AkzoNobel exemplifies through its technology-driven sustainability initiatives.

Simultaneously, platforms like Nextbitt offer tailored digital solutions that help businesses achieve sustainability goals more effectively. Specializing in asset management, Nextbitt provides systems that track energy consumption, minimize waste and increase operational efficiency – key elements of a robust sustainability strategy. By implementing these tools, businesses can optimize resources and drive significant environmental impact reductions.

Driving Sustainability: AkzoNobel's Vision and Achievements

AkzoNobel is fully committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity and improving energy efficiency at all its global sites. This ambition aligns with its goal to reduce carbon emissions by 50% across the entire value chain (Upstream and Downstream) by 2030 (2018 baseline) and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As the first paints and coatings company to set science-based sustainability targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), AkzoNobel leads by example in integrating sustainability into every aspect of its operations.

Key milestones from 2023 include:

• A 38% reduction in carbon emissions (own operations).
• 62% of the electricity globally from renewable sources.
• 82 sites operating on 100% renewable electricity.
• Europe and North America fully powered by renewable electricity.

Illustration 1: AkzoNobel's Carbon Commitment

In fact, AkzoNobel builds sustainability into every part of its operations:

• Eco-friendly Products: The company develops water-based coatings and bio-based materials, cutting emissions and reducing reliance on petroleum products.
• Transparent supply chains: Using blockchain, AkzoNobel tracks materials through its supply chain to ensure sustainable sourcing and ethical practices.

These innovations highlight how technology can make a difference and serve as inspiration for other companies. Nextbitt, for instance, offers tools that help businesses monitor and manage the entire asset lifecycle, ensuring sustainable practices from procurement to disposal.

From Vision to Action: AkzoNobel's Sustainability Initiatives

1. Prioritizing sustainability across the value chain

At AkzoNobel, sustainability is embedded at every stage of the operations – from the sourcing of raw materials to the end-of-life of the products. By adopting circular economy principles, the company aims to reduce waste and maximize resource efficiency. For example, the water-based paints cut harmful VOC emissions by over 80%, supporting healthier environments for both people and the planet.

2. Collaboration for greater impact

Strategic partnerships amplify sustainability efforts. By collaborating with technology providers such as Nextbitt, AkzoNobel combines its industry expertise with cutting-edge asset management solutions, creating scalable innovations with measurable impact.

3. Inspiring a culture of innovation

Sustainability is not only about technology but also about mindset. AkzoNobel fosters a culture where continuous innovation is encouraged, driving both product development and operational improvements.

4. Creating value for customers and communities

By delivering high-performance coatings, AkzoNobel helps businesses extend the lifespan of their assets while reducing their environmental impact. Its coatings have improved the energy efficiency of iconic structures like the Burj Khalifa, proving that innovation can enhance both aesthetics and sustainability.

5. Harnessing renewable energy for a sustainable future

At the Pilawa site in Poland, AkzoNobel installed its largest solar energy plant in Europe. These panels provide nearly a quarter of the facility’s electricity needs, reducing reliance on non-renewables and lowering the carbon footprint.

Illustration 2: AkzoNobel's 2030 Sustainability Ambitions

What Nextbitt and other technologies can offer

Nextbitt's solutions showcase how technology can help businesses reduce their environmental footprint:

• Asset Management: Predictive analytics help extend equipment life, reduce energy consumption, and avoid unnecessary waste.
• Smart waste management: IoT-enabled systems monitor and optimize waste flows, enabling circular economy practices.
• Enhanced transparency: Real-time data visibility helps identify inefficiencies and improve sustainability, just like AkzoNobel’s blockchain-enabled supply chains.

Challenges and Opportunities

Switching to greener practices can be challenging, especially for small businesses, due to costs and complexity. However, with tightening regulations and growing consumer expectations, the benefits far outweigh the barriers.

Using data-driven solutions and advanced analytics, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint, improve efficiency, and lead in sustainability.

Conclusion

Technology and sustainability go hand in hand. AkzoNobel demonstrates real impact through innovation, while companies like Nextbitt make sustainable transformation accessible for all. As environmental responsibility becomes a global priority, those who invest in smart solutions today will lead the future.