AkzoNobel will help body shops measure, monitor, and improve carbon dioxide emissions in a new partnership programme known as the Sustainable Repair Network. Under the programme, the company will provide tools, knowledge, support, and experience from its vehicle refinishing coatings business in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of repairers.
Employing a three-step process – measure, monitor, and improve – the certification programme will analyse a body shop’s CO2 footprint, identify the steps it can take to reduce emissions across its operations, and partner with them to support the execution of the processes.
AkzoNobel says it has developed tools specifically for this purpose, delivering insight into the CO2 footprint of body shops by converting gas consumption, electricity consumption, driven kilometres, and all relevant parameters from Scope 1, 2, and 3 into CO2 equivalents according to the latest emission factors. This enables body shops to set goals, calculate the effect of emission mitigating measures, and monitor progress.
To achieve a sustainable repair, all steps of the repair process and overall body shop operation are assessed to identify where emissions are created and how they can be reduced. This may include changes in equipment, processes, and choice of products. The company says that critical to any recommendation is a holistic understanding of a body shop’s baseline.
Ignacio Roman Navarro, AkzoNobel Regional Commercial Director Vehicle Refinishes for EMEA, said the new initiative helps align AkzoNobel’s sustainability goals with those of its customers.
“All of us in the value chain, including the OEMs and the insurance companies, are focused on sustainability, and we will deliver on our targets by creating true partnerships with shared ambitions.
“In joining the new Sustainability Repair Network, and becoming a partner, our customers will be creating and promoting a more sustainable workplace that brings genuine financial and environmental benefits to all,” he said.
AkzoNobel plans to roll out the programme in the coming months in key markets in Central Europe.