Page 17 - Respond 2020 Magazine

An iconic view of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Case study: VIETNAM
Vietnam faces the challenge of
sustainable development and
urbanisation in a uniquely historic
environment, home to many famous
architectural structures. To overcome
these, AkzoNobel offers a wide range
of sustainable products in the local
market, as well as practical support
to those who live and work there.
In the first quarter of 2019, we
hosted two events on urban
heritage preservation, which saw
450 experts discuss a master plan
for Vietnamese heritage. To support
the next generation in taking over
this work, we offer scholarships for
architecture students and often
host initiatives such as the Orange
ASEAN Factory. AkzoNobel has also
volunteered thousands of paints
and working hours to repaint iconic
structures, schools, urban alleys and
old apartment buildings.

the entire value chain. We also aim to maintain eco-premium In the first round, 1,150 members submitted 158 ideas: from
solutions at a sustainable 20% of revenue through 2020. turning waste into bio-oils and minerals to using bio-based
These investments are key to long-term sustainable value methods to capture and convert the carbon dioxide from
creation. We know that our in-house innovation can achieve steelworks. Other ideas used renewable and long-lasting
higher efficiency at lower impact, in line with our philosophy dyes from biomass and self-cleaning, air-purifying coatings.
of delivering more with less.
Twenty-one outstanding start-ups were selected for the
Adding colour for the next generation accelerator programme.
To ensure the best ideas are developed for the benefit of
Now concluded, SAS Nanotechnologies (from the US),
future generations, we must seek out and promote diversity
QLayers (Netherlands), Interface Polymers (UK), Apellix (US)
of thought – and that can only be done by collaborating with
and Alucha Recycling Technologies (Netherlands) were
diverse teams.
rewarded by AkzoNobel, while Octo (the Netherlands) took
To drive the paints and coatings industry through its next home the KPMG Scale-up Award.
phase of modernisation, we at AkzoNobel have created a
We are committed to continued work with the recipients of
new ecosystem for innovation by launching Paint the Future,
these prizes, to pursue sustainable business opportunities
an innovation challenge with an open invitation to collaborate
through joint collaboration agreements.
and turn exciting potential into brilliant reality.
In March this year, we launched AkzoNobel Cares, an
This year, we will combine our global reach with the agility
amalgamation of our social programmes, including the
of thought present across the global start-up and scale-up
Community Programme, Let’s Colour, Community with
environment, to push the boundaries of what our industry
many repainting projects, and the Education Fund, as well as
can achieve.
smaller local activities.
The aim is to connect disruptive technologies to accelerate
Throughout this work, we aim to deliver shared value by
the dynamic world of paints and coatings, based on five
helping communities, strengthening our reputation and
pillars: smart application, enhanced functionality, circular
building the pride our team members hold in the company.
solutions, life science infusion and predictable performance.
www.akzonobel.com
Pamela Phua, General director of Vietnam, decorative paints South Asia, AkzoNobel
In 2017, Pamela Phua was appointed as Cluster General Director of Vietnam, Singapore and
Indochina, Decorative Paints South Asia. With 20 years of experience in the coatings industry, she
has driven the business with new technology development and product implementation across the
region, especially in the Vietnamese market. “Our only chance is to shift the world to a different investment
Phua was instrumental in setting up the global research and laboratory operations for AkzoNobel and growth path. We need a new growth story for the 21st century,
Decorative Paints (Global Exterior Wall Paint Expertise Group) in 2011. In her global capacity,
Pamela implements the functional and production innovation strategy for exterior wall paint. She and for that we must fundamentally transform our food, urban,
spearheads the RD&I functional excellence, standards and capability, and the efficient delivery of
processes as the approved standards and processes across the globe. and energy systems, and move to a circular economy.”
Together with a special passion for sustainable development, she has led her teams to innovate
painting products and solutions through increasingly sustainable benefits for AkzoNobel customers Naoko Ishii,
and the environment. She also actively gets involved in sustainable activities in projects to create CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)
inspiring living spaces for local communities and to promote green architecture trends.
e: pamela.phua@akzonobel.com
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