A Broad Brush with Architectural Launches in Europe

The Manchester-based HMG Paints is the largest independent paint and coatings manufacturer in the UK and has a long and varied history of innovation and coatings development.

In fact, it was among the earliest paint makers to pioneer a range of decorative paints that drew on artificial intelligence back in 2023, ahead of the general anticipation surrounding AI and its possibilities over the last couple of years or so.

Towards the end of last year, HMG Paints commissioned a new facility – The Len Hutton Centre – as a modern facility dedicated to water-based production. The opening of this department has brought greater water-based production capabilities at HMG, with the department being named after the company’s former production director.

This substantial capital investment increased the company’s capacity by an estimated 50,000 liters per month and allows the business to meet growing demand for its range of water-based products, as customers and the industry shift towards low-VOC, environmentally friendly and sustainable coatings.

The new department, operated by six highly trained staff members, has been equipped with 12 high-efficiency mixers and a dedicated washout facility and showcases HMG Paints’ commitment to investment and innovation, while also celebrating the core family-first approach at the company.

Hot Color Trends and Launches

Since then, the pace of the company’s activities seem to have gone from a premier league to a super league. Earlier this year, it declared its own Colour of the Year (COTY) “Swan” in a promotional move more usually associated with the major international paint makers.

Swan, as HMG’s COTY 2026, was launched and identified in the spring in response to the rapidly changing trends that come with ever-evolving design preferences. Swan is a refined grey-white shade with a hint of lavender that makes it a softer, sophisticated shade that works well across walls and furniture.

Very recently it followed this up with similar manoeuvre with an exterior and garden color. Chartwell Green was announced at the start of the summer by HMG Paints as a color to watch for exterior applications: a heritage-inspired color that reflects modern consumer trends in the UK.

Interestingly, the company has identified an ongoing shift in color preferences to more heritage-led shades for exterior renovation projects, reflecting the need for coatings that are long-lasting and versatile than more purely driven by trends.

Chartwell Green is a muted green shade that works well across a variety of construction materials, including masonry, timber, sandstone, cladding and exterior metalwork and symbolizes the increasing shift away from grey that has been so prevalent in UK color schemes in recent years. The color takes its name from the historic home of Winston Churchill.

… And Some Cool Developments

The latest development at HMG Paints also keys into architectural applications; the company has joined the ‘Cool Roofs Smart Choice’ campaign as part of the Nova Paint Club initiative.

HMG Paints already has more than 40 years’ experience in the formulation and supply of solar reflective coatings through its Retroflect paint. Through its engagement with the Nova Paint Club, which is an association of independent paint producers, HMG seeks to ensure this proven technology is more accessible than ever to the UK market.

By sharing knowledge and best practices with independent manufacturers globally, HMG is reinforcing the role of coatings as a vital tool for an eco-efficient future. And with summer temperatures breaking records in the UK just as much as they are in mainland Europe, any deeper involvement in the supply of cool roof coatings can only be a shrewd move for the future.

Two New Developments for AkzoNobel in Europe

On a different level though, one of two latest developments at AkzoNobel will also have ramifications in the UK decorative sector, and this is the company’s announcement of a new paint collection with The Walt Disney Company. The specially curated range of colors takes inspiration from an enchanting cast of characters, which can now be used to bring joy and wonder to people’s homes.   The range was launched at a Dutch industry event in June.

Combining Disney’s captivating storytelling with AkzoNobel’s inspirational expertise, the new collection features colors based on 16 much-loved favourites, including characters from MARVEL and Star Wars™.

Suitable for all living spaces, the full collection – comprised of two carefully named colours inspired by each character – includes familiar faces from Disney Frozen, The Lion King, Moana, Bambi, Winnie the Pooh; Disney and Pixar Toy Story, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu; and from the MARVEL Universe, Captain America, Iron Man and Spider-Man.

The availability of character-inspired colors will vary in each country. The new decorative paint colours are due to be launched in Poland first, with the UK and Irish launch second in line. Launches in the Benelux region are then scheduled for spring 2027.

The second key development for AkzoNobel in Europe is in Genoa, where the Italian municipality has joined forces with AkzoNobel in launching a color plan that will maintain its distinctive character and architectural history and tradition. The move, under AkzoNobel’s Sikkens brand, follows up on similar high-end initiatives across more than 20 prominent Italian locations, among them Turin, Naples, Portofino, Florence and a sizeable part of Rome.

The new three-year agreement is largely focused on the city’s Old Port, where some of the architecture dates back to the 1700s. The plan is set to incorporate technical guidelines for any materials and colours for the future restoration of architectural façades at the Old Port, with especial emphasis being placed on color compatibility and (maintenance of) landscape quality.

The plan is not being conceived as a rigid framework, but more as a tool for consideration when the architectural exteriors require intervention, so that quality, consistency and aesthetics are correctly preserved. The plan necessitates a greater study and understanding of the building materials and concepts and traditional colour history used on the city’s architecture over the last few centuries.

The tool will offer scientifically based and easily usable tools for the benefit of designers, technicians and local citizens, contributing to a widespread redevelopment that will underscore Genoa’s historic centre and the image of the city both nationally and internationally. 

“We’ve divided the part of the city covered by the plan into three areas and will work in stages,” said Simone Mazzoli, commercial director of AkzoNobel in Italy.  “We’re starting with the area at the front of the harbor, which we’ll deliver this year, and hope to complete all three phases by the end of 2027.”