This initiative by AkzoNobel reduces landfill disposal and helps conserve natural resources.
The international paints and coatings supplier AkzoNobel
is adopting circularity practices in Brazil by repurposing industrial waste as a sustainable raw material for paint production. At the Mauá plant in São Paulo, nearly one-third of the industrial waste generated during the treatment of effluent is used in the production of Coral Pinta Piso floor paint.
At the Mauá facility, an on-site wastewater treatment plant enables the reuse of industrial waste as an environmentally friendly raw material for paint. The waste, produced after industrial wastewater treatment, makes up about 30% of the total treated residue in Mauá (free from sanitary or biological sewage). The residue is incorporated into Coral Pinta Piso paint, and any unsuitable waste is converted into briquettes for energy recovery after undergoing quality control.
“This is a fantastic initiative which will play an important role in helping us achieve our ambition of 100% circular use of materials in our own operations by 2030. In 2024 alone, the initiative contributed to the reduction of around 272 tons of CO2 emissions – equivalent to the amount produced by nearly 400 cars over the course of a year,” has stated Wijnand Bruinsma, AkzoNobel’s Director of Sustainability.
While local regulations permit the disposal of liquid effluent into watercourses, AkzoNobel has invested in its treatment plant, which enables 100% of treated water to be recycled for use in various processes and products. Coral Pinta Piso is designed for high-traffic areas, both indoors and outdoors. The product experienced an 8.5% growth in market share in 2024, according to ABRAFATI (the Brazilian Paint Manufacturers Association). Beyond Brazil, the paint is available in countries such as Bolivia, Paraguay, and Suriname.
Additionally, the Mauá site is located within the Tangará Reserve, a large Brazilian rainforest area. Since 2007, AkzoNobel has been working to restore 70 hectares of the reserve, contributing to the protection of this vital ecosystem.