AKZO NOBEL DECORATIVE COATINGS BV

Their core work

AkzoNobel Decorative Coatings is the decorative paints division of AkzoNobel, one of the world's largest coatings manufacturers. In H2020, they contributed industrial expertise in surface coatings, adhesive materials, and building-integrated energy solutions. Their R&D participation focused on translating academic advances in bio-inspired adhesives, sustainable anti-corrosion coatings, and solar-harvesting façade panels into commercially viable products for the construction and coatings industry.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

AkzoNobel's H2020 trajectory shows a shift from fundamental materials research toward applied energy solutions for buildings. Their earlier projects (2015-2016) focused on training networks around bio-inspired adhesives and sustainable corrosion protection — traditional coatings R&D topics. By 2017, their participation moved toward energy-harvesting building skins via the Envision project, signaling interest in functional coatings that go beyond protection and aesthetics.

AkzoNobel appears to be moving toward functional coatings that generate energy, suggesting future interest in building-integrated photovoltaics and smart façade technologies.

How they like to work

AkzoNobel never coordinated an H2020 project — they joined as a participant or third party, contributing industrial know-how and application testing rather than leading research direction. With 29 unique partners across 9 countries in just 3 projects, they operated within large, diverse consortia typical of MSCA training networks and Innovation Actions. This profile suggests a company that offers industrial validation and scale-up potential but expects academic partners to drive the research agenda.

Across 3 projects, AkzoNobel connected with 29 unique partners in 9 countries — a wide network driven primarily by large MSCA training networks. Their reach spans multiple European countries, reflecting the broad consortium structures of their projects rather than targeted bilateral partnerships.

What sets them apart

As a global coatings giant, AkzoNobel brings something most academic consortia lack: a direct path from laboratory coating formulation to mass-market production. Their decorative coatings division can test research outputs against real product lines and manufacturing constraints. For any consortium developing advanced surface treatments, functional coatings, or building skin technologies, AkzoNobel offers credible industrial validation and a realistic route to commercialization.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Envision
  Their only funded project (EUR 172,312), focused on the commercially promising intersection of solar energy and building façade coatings.
• SUSTICOAT
  Directly aligned with AkzoNobel's core business — developing sustainable alternatives to traditional corrosion protection coatings.
• BioSmartTrainee
  MSCA training network exploring bio-inspired adhesive design, showing AkzoNobel's investment in next-generation materials talent.