AkzoNobel: Pioneering Market Leadership with Sustainable Competitive Advantage

According to Ms. Nguyen Phi Anh Dao, Marketing and Product Management Director for Southeast Asia and Vietnam, with the “Paint the Future” strategy and green-certified paint solutions, AkzoNobel is demonstrating its leadership in elevating quality standards for the paint and coatings industry, contributing to a sustainable future for Vietnam.

As the market increasingly prioritizes green projects, do you see this shift as a challenge or an opportunity for the paint industry? And how does AkzoNobel position itself in this context?

We view this as a mandatory test of transparency and quality across the entire industry. The market shift demands that businesses quickly adapt to meet green standards, while encouraging stakeholders to see paint as a necessary investment and a critical factor in assessing a project’s sustainability.

For AkzoNobel, we believe the opportunity outweighs the challenge. We actively participate in raising industry standards by pioneering paint and coating solutions that directly reduce operational costs, extend material lifespan, and support carbon emission reduction goals. AkzoNobel has turned sustainability into a core competitive advantage.

Could you elaborate on how AkzoNobel sets new sustainability standards for the industry?

We set new standards by implementing global commitments. With our Paint the Future goal, instead of waiting for market demands, we proactively apply global standards to ensure our paint products meet high-quality criteria. For instance, 100% of our interior project paints are GREENGUARD Gold certified. Additionally, AkzoNobel is the only paint and coatings company in the industry to achieve leading certifications, including Ecovadis Platinum and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Our aim is to establish a new principle: safe, low-VOC paints with high indoor air quality (IAQ) should be the baseline for all projects. This positions AkzoNobel as a market leader driven by reliability and scientific quality, rather than just price competition.

Beyond business operations, we promote sustainability standards through professional community initiatives. Recently, AkzoNobel continued its partnership as a Gold Sponsor of the Vietnam PropertyGuru Awards 2025.

Ms. Nguyen Phi Anh Dao at the Vietnam PropertyGuru Awards 2025 Gala

How does AkzoNobel help partners achieve their sustainability goals through coating solutions?

Beyond being a manufacturer, AkzoNobel acts as a strategic partner, collaborating with developers, architects, and regulatory bodies to drive Vietnam’s transition toward sustainable urban growth.

The strong return of Dulux Professional in the project segment, with superior product solutions and professional services, is a clear testament to this effort. Our technologies, such as Keep Cool™, Alkali Guard™, and ColorLock™, enhance energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and extend material lifespan. AkzoNobel also leads the market in providing antiviral and antibacterial technologies, improving indoor air quality and user safety.

These innovations not only enhance performance but also support broader ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals for our partners.

What specific investments has AkzoNobel made in R&D and partnerships to advance sustainable solutions in Vietnam?

Given Vietnam’s strong Net-Zero commitment and rapid urbanization, we see it as a high-potential market with growing demand for sustainable solutions. AkzoNobel supports Vietnam’s goals through product technologies tailored to its harsh tropical climate. Alongside exterior paints with anti-humidity and waterproofing capabilities, our Keep Cool™ technology reduces surface temperatures by up to 5°C, offering an ideal solution for energy savings. While meeting local needs, we maintain strict international standards, ensuring low VOC levels and health safety. Technologies like bio-based paints, though not yet globally widespread, are pioneered in Vietnam.

Vietnam is also a strategic innovation and development hub for AkzoNobel in the region. We build green factories in Vietnam, adopting circular economy models and clean energy. Our Binh Duong Decorative Paint Factory recently earned LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, underscoring AkzoNobel’s commitment to investing in and promoting sustainable solutions.

Binh Duong Decorative Paint Factory receives LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council

We also collaborate with local partners to optimize product performance under local construction conditions. We prioritize partnerships with high social impact and iconic projects, such as The Ori Garden social housing and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts. This demonstrates that sustainable solutions must be core to every segment.

Beyond technological solutions, AkzoNobel is known for community initiatives like “Let’s Colour.” What specific role do these activities play in advancing the company’s overall sustainability in Vietnam?

Projects like “Let’s Colour” and others are not just acts of goodwill but integral to our sustainability strategy, reflecting our corporate social responsibility. When we renovate schools, hospitals, or public spaces, we not only provide a fresh look but also convey a message of a better, safer, and more sustainable living environment. These efforts contribute to Vietnam’s sustainable development goals, from improving educational infrastructure to preserving heritage and promoting sustainable real estate development.