Maximilien Schréder, Business director of the World Shopper Electronics Coatings and Automotive and Refinish Coatings North Asia, AkzoNobel

May you present insights into the aggressive panorama of the buyer electronics market and the way AkzoNobel differentiates itself?

We started our operations for shopper electronics enterprise in Vietnam in 2010, particularly to assist Samsung’s increasing presence within the nation. This exemplifies our responsiveness to consumer wants and our potential to handle a strong community of applicators – making certain color, high quality, and consistency throughout a number of suppliers for a single authentic gear producer (OEM).

We distinguish ourselves by way of our superior coating applied sciences that provide distinctive functionalities and aesthetics, akin to metallic results and tactile sensations, making contact surfaces really feel softer, as an example.

Moreover, our coatings are formulated to be extremely sturdy and proof against stains, catering to a broad vary of substrates – even these with greater recycled content material that will in any other case have a much less interesting look. With correct utility methodology, our options can successfully masks these considerations, presenting a visually interesting product with out sacrificing environmental friendliness.

Moreover, AkzoNobel is on the forefront of sustainable innovation. We’re rolling out waterborne merchandise with considerably lowered carbon footprints in comparison with conventional solvent-based choices. We proceed to develop applied sciences that may assist to enhance the looks of merchandise constituted of recycled plastics, so we are able to allow customers to take pleasure in high-quality finishes whereas supporting environmental initiatives.

Sturdiness stays a cornerstone of our strategy. By enhancing the lifespan of merchandise, we contribute positively to the atmosphere by extending the lifecycle of shopper electronics.

Given AkzoNobel’s numerous consumer base within the shopper electronics sector, how does the corporate navigate potential conflicts of curiosity whereas sustaining consumer confidentiality?

Certainly, we function in a dynamic trade the place the confidentiality of product launches is paramount, but the sensitivity of knowledge diminishes over a product’s lifecycle. To mitigate battle of curiosity, our strategy is tailor-made. We handle every case and consumer distinctly. Whereas proprietary design parts stay client-specific, primary technological improvements like our waterborne options are provided market-wide. We deal with adaptability and offering a common profit to all shoppers, together with the burgeoning Vietnamese market and different worldwide companies thriving in Vietnam.

Since initially establishing our presence for shopper electronics enterprise in Vietnam in 2010 to cater to a few of our key shoppers, we have recognised a burgeoning alternative to serve numerous companies. Dwelling in Vietnam has allowed me to see first-hand the expansion of Vietnamese companies. Our experience in coating applied sciences for plastic substrates positions us as a invaluable companion to those firms as they evolve throughout the Vietnamese market.

Are you able to element the rationale and strategic match for AkzoNobel’s latest growth of manufacturing strains within the shopper electronics division inside Vietnam?

We’ve got scaled up our manufacturing, notably within the north of Vietnam, which is a continuation of my prior obligations throughout the firm. Concurrently, we have pivoted to deal with the superior waterborne expertise for our shopper electronics section, which displays a major shift from our current solvent-borne capabilities.

We determined to be nearer to our buyer base, which permits us to reply swiftly and supply tailor-made options that align with their particular necessities. We intention to not simply reply to consumer requests, but additionally actively drive the trade in the direction of extra sustainable practices. Our investments additionally cater to the necessity for sturdy and high-quality finishings that meet numerous substrate necessities.

May you elaborate on how AkzoNobel is integrating sustainability into its progress technique, notably within the Vietnamese market?

AkzoNobel has made sustainability a key focus, notably because the demand for sustainable options grows in Vietnam and globally. Over the past 5-6 years, sustainability has moved from a speaking level to a core facet of our product discussions with OEMs, who now search sustainable choices like bio-coatings and low-carbon choices.

Our funding in waterborne expertise in Vietnam highlights our dedication to accessible, sustainable options, differentiating us from opponents and supporting native trade progress towards sustainability. This transfer is a part of our wider purpose to include sustainability all through our price chain, from uncooked supplies to manufacturing processes.

We intention to empower clients with sustainable selections, demonstrating by way of our actions in Vietnam that superior, revolutionary technical options can be found now. For instance, amongst our merchandise, the sturdy, anti-stain coating for electronics exemplifies our dedication to sensible, sustainable innovation, prolonging gadget life, and lowering waste.

In AkzoNobel’s push in the direction of sustainability, do shoppers incur a premium price for choosing eco-friendly merchandise?

Our sustainable choices are competitively priced to ship vital worth and not using a hefty premium in Vietnam. We emphasise on effectivity and worth, optimising utility processes to make sure most paint utilisation. Our skilled technical group in Vietnam is instrumental in serving to suppliers and applicators improve effectivity, cut back total prices, and align with our sustainability goals.

The true worth of our paint goes past price, specializing in efficient utility and longevity, which saves cash over time and helps sustainability. We additionally assure the sturdiness and efficiency of our coatings with superior testing in our Bac Ninh services, utilizing local weather chamber to simulate excessive situations. This dedication to high quality and sustainability ensures we offer high-value options to our shoppers.

How does AkzoNobel collaborate with companions, each inside and outdoors the trade, to boost the standard and sustainability of its shopper electronics?

AkzoNobel thrives on a worldwide collaboration community, encompassing groups throughout the continent, which fuels our innovation with numerous finest practices and concepts. Our improvement presence spans from the Netherlands to Asia, together with Vietnam, facilitating shut work with companions starting from suppliers to startups and tutorial establishments. This international and native mix permits us to launch contests and co-development tasks, selling innovation.

Moreover, AkzoNobel yearly unveils color traits, a collaborative effort with designers and designers worldwide. This course of is not only about aesthetic enchantment but additionally about responding to broader societal traits, akin to the mixing of AI in shopper units, with the intention of constructing expertise extra approachable and human-centric.

What are the important thing challenges and alternatives AkzoNobel faces within the shopper electronics sector, notably relating to sustainability?

One of many main challenges we face is navigating a conventional trade the place the numerous function of coatings in sustainability isn’t constantly recognised. As an example, enhancing coatings to permit for better use of recycled plastics is a direct manner we contribute.

One other key space is the restrictions on the waterborne applied sciences that we beforehand considered limiting, but it surely seems to be not the case any extra. We have demonstrated to designers from well-known equipment producers that our environmentally pleasant options can obtain vibrant, metallic finishes with out compromising design freedom.

On the flip aspect, in Vietnam’s post-COVID panorama, agility has turn into paramount for the buyer electronics and automotive industries I lead. The fast adjustments in manufacturing places, pushed by the shifting sands of the worldwide financial system, compel us to remain near our clients and adapt rapidly to their evolving methods.

Regardless of the financial contraction, the place many firms are slashing bills, our optimism fuels our progress and propels our expertise and sustainability efforts ahead. Sustainability is not a mere consideration – it’s integral to our trade’s future and a private driver in my function. Sustainable practices will outline our success and legacy within the chemical substances and coatings discipline.

AkzoNobel inaugurates new manufacturing services in Bac Ninh On March 1, AkzoNobel celebrated the inauguration ceremony of the brand new manufacturing services at Bac Ninh web site of AkzoNobel, marking a major milestone within the sustainable improvement technique of the group in Vietnam.