Global paint manufacturer AkzoNobel Ashington has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award recognising its sustainability credentials.
AkzoNobel Ashington will go up against businesses from around the country having been named as a finalist in the Clean Tech category of the Business Leader Go:Tech Awards. Nominees for the award were required to demonstrate examples of ethical leadership and stakeholder engagement, show their environmental credentials and journey behind their creation, demonstrate strong financial and commercial performance and the impact the business has had on the environment. AkzoNobel Ashington is widely regarded as the most advanced and sustainable paint manufacturing facility in the world, recycling 90 per cent of its solvent and water use while implementing a closed loop system. Since its launch in 2017, AkzoNobel has systematically transferred manufacturing volume from some of its less sustainable facilities to AkzoNobel Ashington; improving the overall environmental credentials of the business as a whole. Alongside maximising production potential, the site is heavily involved in local community projects, donating supplies and time to various causes across the North East including donations to schools and sports clubs. Over the last few years, AkzoNobel Ashington donated more than 3,000 litres of paint to community groups and charitable causes, more than £130,000 to local community organisations and more than 2,000 hours of staff volunteer time to help organisations bring their visions to life. Jeff Hope, head of manufacturing unit at AkzoNobel Ashington, said: “Our Ashington site is at the forefront of our mission to create a brighter, more sustainable future, and we’re delighted to be recognised for this award. “This nomination is recognition for our staff members’ hard work day in, day out. We continue to develop and learn each year, sharing our success stories and further sustainable working methods across our sites and the industry.” The Go:Tech Awards cover industry sectors such as FinTech; augmented reality; artificial intelligence and many more; and a record number of entries came in from businesses and entrepreneurs from every corner of the UK. AkzoNobel Ashington is up against Skyrora, Kaluza, OVO Energy, and Dotted in the Clean Tech category. The finalists were chosen by a judging panel that included Oz Alashe MBE, Joel Blake OBE, Anthony Rose, Rita Liu, Nicole Junkermann and many more. Go:Tech Awards founder Andrew Scott said: “It’s been a tough year for many but also a year of opportunity and the UK tech sector has shown itself to be a force for good. We’re proud to have provided a platform for the best of the best to showcase their success and enterprise.” The winners of the Go:Tech Awards 2020 will be announced in April. AkzoNobel is the world’s leading manufacturer of decorative paints and specialist coatings with brands including Dulux, Dulux Trade, Cuprinol and Hammerite.
