Sustainability
Painting a more circular future
Expo 2025 shines a light on sustainable coating solutions
All eyes are on the Land of the Rising Sun as Japan hosts Expo 2025 in Osaka – so it’s fitting that the Netherlands Pavilion has the sun at the center of its circular design.
As official painting partner for the striking Dutch structure, we’ve played an important role in highlighting the Pavilion’s theme – Common Ground.
More than 400 square meters of surfaces feature our advanced decorative paints, woodcare solutions and protective coatings, all designed to ensure durability and aesthetics while reinforcing our commitment to painting a more sustainable future.
Sustainability-driven innovation
“We’re proud to be involved in this incredible initiative,” says Kaj van Alem, President of AkzoNobel Japan and Director of the company’s Wood Coatings business. “The Netherlands pavilion is a living example of our sustainability-driven innovative solutions that are helping to create dynamic spaces for people to live and work in.”
Our colleagues in Japan worked closely with leading architects and developers to provide a range of innovative coating solutions that have contributed to the Netherlands Pavilion’s design and environmental performance.
Circular design concept
As well as supplying International protective coatings for the steel structure, our Sikkens solutions have been used on the woodwork and fittings, while Dulux products feature on the interior walls. Our Coil Coatings business also supplied a PU resin-based topcoat for the lower roofing panels. They’re helping bring to life the Pavilion’s theme and circular design, which are symbolized by the sun rising on a future of unlimited clean energy.
“Collaborating with AkzoNobel has been an inspiring journey rooted in our shared value of sustainability,” adds Thomas Rau, architect of the Netherlands Pavilion and founder of Rau Architects. “The company’s solutions were pivotal in transforming our architectural concept into a tangible symbol of a sustainable future.”
Expo 2025 runs until October 13 and is expected to attract more than 28 million visitors.
