AkzoNobel Vehicle Refinishes is marking over two years of progress with it its Sustainable Repair Network (SRN), which is continuing to expand across Europe, and has already certified more than 203 bodyshops in ten countries across 119 companies, and another 290 active bodyshops yet to be certified. This is a major step forward in helping the vehicle refinishes industry to improve processes and reduce the environmental impact of their operations.  

As the first paints and coatings company to set a verified science-based sustainability target, AkzoNobel has committed to reducing carbon emissions by 50% throughout its value chain by 2030*. To achieve this, AkzoNobel is taking action to play a progressive and collaborative role in helping entire industries to advance towards a more sustainable future. Within its Vehicle Refinishes Business, a key initiative has been the launch of the Sustainable Repair Network in Europe, providing bodyshops and multi-site operators with the tools, support and technical expertise to reduce emissions and embed circularity into their businesses. 

AkzoNobel’s Business Director for Automotive and Vehicle Refinishes EMEA, Ignacio Román Navarro, says that the organization is delighted with the reception its Sustainable Repair Network has received: “Sustainability is a shared priority across the industry from automotive OEMs to insurers and repairers. True progress requires collaboration, and we are proud that so many forward-thinking bodyshops across Europe have joined us and are making meaningful progress.” 

Since its launch AkzoNobel has certified more than 100 businesses across Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Poland, Austria and the UK, with more in progress. 

“It is very encouraging for our Sustainable Repair Network to have achieved this momentum in such a short space of time, and to have so many bodyshops from across Europe engage with our experts,” says Ignacio. “We are equipping them to drive lasting, positive transformations in their businesses, as we can meticulously analyze all aspects of their repair processes and operations to pinpoint emission sources and devise effective reduction strategies, enabling them to make tangible progress towards their own targets and prove it to their stakeholders.” 

The Sustainable Repair Network is centered around a framework that starts with analyzing energy usage, as well as identifying ways to reduce the carbon footprint, and positive actions aligned to ‘repair, recycle, reduce and reuse’. For Level 1 certification, bodyshops and Multi-Site Operators (MSOs) lay the foundation to measure, monitor, and improve their CO2e footprint. This visibility allows bodyshops and MSOs to set KPIs and develop strategies for future improvements. For Level 2, under the guidance provided by the AkzoNobel team, the bodyshop identifies targets to enhance sustainability performance, and with the help of AkzoNobel’s tools, areas for improvement are pinpointed, and a roadmap for the forthcoming years is established. At Level 3, the targets set in Level 2 are monitored, achieved, and demonstrate that the measures are implemented, improvements are realized, and sustainability is embedded within the organization. 

AkzoNobel continues to work actively with industry stakeholders on initiatives that seek to reduce emissions, promote circular economy practices, and build a greener supply chain. Most recently this includes the Forum on Automotive Aftermarket Sustainability (FAAS) community which brings together industry leaders to drive real change in the automotive aftermarket and the Accident Repair Industry Environmental Standard (ARIES), which is a new standard for the UK’s vehicle repair industry. 

*Target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Network Across Europe