KUALA LUMPUR: AkzoNobel still has plenty of room to grow in Asia amid the low consumption per capita in the region, says the largest global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals.
Managing director of AkzoNobel decorative paints (Southeast Asia and Pacific), Jeremy Rowe, said the Asian market would continue to grow, driven by demand for decorative paints amid repainting as well as new property development.
“The Asian market will become more important. High-growth markets will contribute around 50 per cent of our revenue for the next decade,” he told Bernama recently.
Currently, Asia-Pacific market contributed 21 per cent of AkzoNobel’s revenue.
Rowe said AkzoNobel would continue to invest in its business partners -painters, architects, interior designers – and its channels and customers.
For Malaysia, he said, the company already has a strong presence and would continue to invest in branding, marketing and innovation, adding that there would be new product launches this year.
Its businesses in Malaysia include decorative paints, packaging coatings, marine and protective coatings, powder coatings, adhesives, coil coatings and automotive coatings. It has over 500 employees in Malaysia.
Headquartered in Amsterdam, AkzoNobel supplies industries and consumers worldwide with innovative products, with its portfolio including well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka.
On the colour trend for this year, Rowe said the company has picked citrus yellow as it represented hope and optimism for the future.
The light, airy, citrus yellow symbolises a freer spirit, sense of fun and positive energy, according to the colour trend analysis conducted the company’s ColourFutures programme.
“In 2010, it was a optimistic but cautious blue.
Citrus yellow represents more confidence while yellow green is a combination of optimistic and green responsibility.
“The slight hint of green reflects today’s climate of eco-friendly awareness and protecting environment.
It will be the trend in residences and commercial buildings,” he said.
ColourFutures is the result of ongoing international colour trend research.
It is developed by AkzoNobel’s Aesthetic Centre together with an international group of creative experts from the fields of colour, design, architecture, and fashion.
They will discuss and decide the colour that will be key for the following year. — Bernama