AMSTERDAM—The Water Revolution Foundation has entered Awlgrip HDT, AkzoNobel’s high-quality coating, into its database of Sustainable Solutions.
Yacht builders and applicators will find environmentally conscious products for superyachts in this database. The non-profit WRF was founded in 2018 to promote sustainability in the global superyacht industry by reducing the sector’s ecological footprint. The WRF includes the world’s top superyacht manufacturers.
According to the WRF, the Awlgrip combines the best performance and durable properties. It contains less volatile organic compounds than a standard polyurethane topcoat. Awlgrip HDT’s high-definition topcoat combines hardness, micro-scratch resistance, and repairability, providing the key qualities owners and applicators look for in a topcoat.
Awlgrip HDT received the WRF’s Sustainable Solution rating after passing an extremely thorough analysis. For example, the product lifecycle was examined, including the resources used in purchasing raw materials, the production and application of the product, the production of waste in the production process, emissions released and the lifespan of the top layer.
Matthew Anzardo, AkzoNobel’s Global Yacht Segment Manager, is proud of WRF’s recognition: “For all our brands and activities, we want to reduce the environmental impact through collaboration and innovation. Our goal is to combine the best performance with sustainability. WRF’s recognition and seal of approval for Awlgrip HDT is a testament to our innovation and commitment to more sustainable boating.”
Adds Alexey Shifman of the WRF: “The superyacht industry depends on the health of our oceans. We tested the environmental impact of Awlgrip HDT according to the internationally recognized LCA methodology (ISO14040) and compared it with the existing Awlgrip Topcoat. The LCA comparative study is a holistic assessment of a product throughout its life cycle, from raw material extraction to the final life stage of disposal and recycling.
That assessment revealed significant reductions in several environmental impact categories. For example, compared to the traditional product, the global warming potential improved by almost 41%, the Water Stress Index by 51% and NOx & SOx by 45% and 40%, respectively. We can confirm that Awlgrip HDT has been independently verified to contribute to improved efficiency, reduced environmental impact and cleaner processes compared to traditional products.”
