AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - AkzoNobel Powder Coatings has become the first coatings manufacturer to achieve SMaRT certification, attaining platinum status.

An acronym for Sustainable Materials Rating Technology, SMaRT is the major external standard for product sustainability. It’s a carefully considered global certification that evaluates sustainability performance over a product’s lifecycle and supply chain. It can apply to any product from any industry, but products receiving SMaRT certification have openly documented their performance over a number of sustainability indicators ranging from minimizing the use of natural resources to reducing waste and carbon footprint.

“This is something we are really very proud of,” said Jaap van den Akker, Manager Sustainability & HSE, AkzoNobel Powder Coatings. “Powder coatings are recognized as an environmentally friendly coating option due to, amongst other things, low VOCs and the ability to reclaim and recycle them. Being the first powder coatings manufacturer to achieve this certification proves we really are global leaders.”

Companies achieving SMaRT accreditation must complete a thorough application process, enter into a legally binding contract certifying that the data submitted is accurate and prove that qualified professionals were used. A third-party audit is also required, and applicants must also renew and verify certification every three years in order to stay current with environmental trends.