Annual report 2024
Media release
AkzoNobel accelerating transition to clean energy in China
March 6, 2025
(AKZA; AKZOY)
More than half of AkzoNobel’s production sites in China are edging closer to operating on 100% renewable electricity as efforts to rely solely on clean energy continue to generate momentum.
A major project is underway which so far involves eight of the company’s 15 Chinese facilities using a combination of self-generated and externally sourced renewable electricity to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels towards zero carbon alternatives.
Both the Suzhou and Changzhou sites will achieve 100% renewable electricity coverage this year. Plans are also in place for both the Shanghai and Wuhan plants to reach 90% by 2026. Meanwhile, two facilities in Langfang have already achieved 100% coverage and the Guangzhou site 20% as of January 2025 (although this is soon expected to double), with the Decorative Paints plant in Chengdu currently sourcing 18% of its electricity from renewable energy.
“We’re fully focused on achieving our ambition of 100% renewable electricity in our own operations by 2030,” explains Wijnand Bruinsma, AkzoNobel’s Director of Sustainability. “We’re delighted with the progress being made in China and will continue to proactively drive the transition of all our manufacturing sites globally.”
Solar panels at AkzoNobel’s Decorative Paints site in Chengdu, China
He adds that the company strives to generate renewable electricity on-site in combination with external sourcing, as this alleviates pressure on the grid and creates additional capacity, which contributes to the energy transition.
Building on the success of the company’s first solar installations in China in 2021, the second phase was launched in 2024. This has been gathering pace in recent months and has involved installing a total of more than 5,600 panels in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu.
As of February 2025, AkzoNobel has received six government-certified “green factory” accolades in China, three of which are at national level – Chengdu, Shanghai and Guangzhou – and three at local level – Shanghai, Suzhou and Changzhou.
Outside of China, AkzoNobel already operates on 100% renewable electricity at all its manufacturing locations in North America, Latin America and Europe. During 2024, the company installed its largest European solar energy plant at the Pilawa site in Poland. There are 3,551 solar panels, with an installed capacity of 1.9 MWp.
You can learn more about the company’s recent progress towards its sustainability ambitions in the recently published 2024 annual report.
About AkzoNobel
Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing more sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.
