The coatings industry overall saw record low levels of energy used per tonne of production in 2019, and record low levels of waste sent to landfill, at just 4% of the 1996 figure.

The new AkzoNobel Decorative Paints plant in Ashington won the Coatings Care Overall Best Performer Award, sponsored by Verlingue. The Ashington site had zero waste sent to landfill, with the waste-recycling rate above the sector average and the remainder being incinerated for energy recovery. Solvent emissions per tonne of production were among the lowest in the industry, and they had an exemplary accidents record. Full emergency plans are in place, including involving the local community in testing those plans.

Sun Chemical won the Coatings Care Progress Award, having seen energy use across sites improve by more than 10% compared to 2018, waste per tonne of production improved considerably, and the percentage of waste recycled improved also.

Commenting on this year’s Coatings Care awards winners Tom Bowtell, BCF Chief Executive, said, “Congratulations to both the shortlisted and winning companies who take part in the Coatings Care program each year. In a difficult period, we are pleased to see companies continuing to engage and monitor their actions against tough KPIs. In particular, well done to our worthy winners, AkzoNobel Decorative Paints in Ashington and Sun Chemical.”