AkzoNobel: Hydrogen-powered paint booth for the automotive industry
One of the first hydrogen-powered paint booths in the automotive industry has been installed by AkzoNobel in a new training center in Belgium. Using the latest technologies, it contributes to a more sustainable operation.
AkzoNobel's new hydrogen-powered paint booth near Brussels is part of a multi-million dollar program to expand and modernize the company's global network of more than 40 Automotive Training Centers (ATCs). The new paint booth has been designed to exceed local and legal requirements and demonstrates how the use of the latest technologies can contribute to a more sustainable operation. The site itself - which is 30% larger than the one it replaces - has been BREEAM certified, underlining AkzoNobel's commitment to reducing carbon emissions across the value chain by 2030.
Latest technologies for painting technology
"The industry of the future needs painters of the future who are familiar with the latest technologies and techniques," says Patrick Bourguignon, Head of the company's Automotive and Specialty Coatings business. "By increasing the size of our Belgian facility by almost a third, we can accommodate more technology - such as the new paint booth - and train more employees. "We can show painting staff how the latest technologies reduce carbon emissions, shorten drying times and use less energy, helping to move the industry in a more sustainable direction.
Hydrogen-powered combi paint booth with clean air
The hydrogen-powered combi paint booth is fully equipped for conventional repairs and has an all-in-one repair workstation. It also has a special air filtration system that uses "activated carbon" to filter out all volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during the painting process. An additional highly effective particle filter (HEPA) ensures clean air (up to 99%), which is released back into the atmosphere.
Global network of automotive training centers
The ATCs offer a wide range of training programs, including application training, product and system training and training on new digital paint processes. A particular focus is on quality improvement, process improvement and repairs on radar-enabled vehicles and the new generation of electric vehicles. "By training painters, workshop managers and OEM engineers on a new generation of coatings and technologies, we can help them improve operational efficiency and reduce their own carbon emissions," adds Bourguignon. "The investment we are making in our ATCs will therefore address a growing global skills shortage while helping us to set new standards for sustainable practices in our industry." The company's ATCs are part of a wider global network of training facilities that AkzoNobel operates across all business units. They support customers and partners in key industries such as aerospace coatings, decorative paints and yacht coatings.