AkzoNobel Picks 21 Startups for Paint the Future Event

A shortlist of 21 startups from around the world are one step closer to accelerating their innovative solutions for the paints and coatings industry after being invited to take part in AkzoNobel’s Paint the Future event.

Being held in Amsterdam from May 14-16, the event – hosted by AkzoNobel and challenge partner KPMG – will give participants the chance to collaborate with industry experts and further their solutions. The ultimate goal is to partner with AkzoNobel on sustainable business opportunities.

“We were ecstatic to receive a total of 160 submissions and build an incredible innovation ecosystem,” said Klaas Kruithof, AkzoNobel’s chief technology officer and chairman of the Paint the Future jury. “It’s the kind of collaboration that’s going to take us beyond what we previously thought possible. Now we’re looking forward to exploring the selected 21 opportunities in more detail at what will be an exciting accelerator event when we get together in Amsterdam.”


Responding to five real-world challenges, the selected 21 participants entered the following innovative solutions that could potentially change the game in paints and coatings:

Circular solutions

• Alucha Recycling Technologies (Netherlands) – turning waste into bio-oils and minerals;
• CaffeInk (Netherlands) – producing sustainable dark pigments from coffee grounds;
• Cyanetics (UK) – capture and bio-based conversion of CO2 from steelworks;
• PILI (France)- renewable and long-lasting colors from biomass

• Cypris (US) – chemical technology to deliver the phenomenon of structural color
• Darkside Scientific Inc. (US) – illuminates any surface with a light-emitting coating
• Interface Polymers (UK) – tuning surface functionality with di-block polymers
• NANOAIR SOLUTIONS S.L. (Spain) – air-purifying coatings that clean themselves
• SAS Nanotechnologies LLC (US) – self-healing microcapsules as an anti-corrosive pigment
• Synmatter (US) – smart technology for corrosion protection and anti-fouling

• Chromasol (US) – light-activated anti-microbial coating
• Hoekmine B.V. (Netherlands) – eco-friendly colors from biological materials
• Ocean Science (HK) Limited (China) – coating with a highly effective natural anti-fouling agent
• SGMA (UK) – non-toxic, durable anti-microbial protection for surfaces

• AOMS Technologies (Canada) – optical fiber sensing system for corrosion in hidden areas
• Octo (Netherlands) – digital solutions for inspections using sensors, drones and AI

• Action Paint (UK) – easily removable paint that prevents damage to the surface
• Apellix (US) – an autonomous drone that cleans and coats surfaces
• Archipelago Technology (UK) – precise drum application using thousands of nozzles
• Qlayers (Netherlands) – automated printing head to coat large surfaces in any weather
• Transforma Robotics (Singapore) – a mobile robot that scans, plans and paints interiors