STRONGSVILLE, OH - The $10 million relocation of a research facility in Strongsville, Ohio, has enabled AkzoNobel to transform its biggest energy user in North America into one of the smartest and most energy efficient.

Completed in November of 2015, the company's new Strongsville Technology Center is only a third the size of the former location. Designed to use less than a third of the natural gas, electricity and water, the facility has now been recognized under the worldwide LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification program.

The site also received an innovation award from the Economic Development Authority in the City of Strongsville. The honor was awarded to recognize both the innovative products that are developed at the location — such as BPA-free coatings for beverage cans — and the new facility itself.

"The new Strongsville Technology Center is a great example of our Planet Possible approach of doing more with less and could well be a model for future AkzoNobel site relocations," said Greg Bengtson, Business Director North America for AkzoNobel's Metal Coatings business.

"The LEED certification also sends a message that we are serious about our concern for the environment. Every action we take and every new product we create should be world class with respect to its environmental footprint."

During the building phase, 87% of non-toxic construction waste was recycled and diverted from landfill. Sustainable building materials were also used, including adhesives, paints, coatings and flooring.

The new facility — a retrofit of an existing building — has designated areas for recycling paper, cardboard, aluminum and plastic. And, in addition to efficient lighting, energy and HVAC systems, AkzoNobel purchased Green-e certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset 100% of its energy use for two years. The new facility houses development and innovation activities for the company's coil, extrusion and packaging coatings customers and also serves as the regional headquarters.