AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business and coatingAI have developed AI based software Flightpath to help customers improve the application process and reduce their carbon footprint.

The industry-first technology, called Flightpath, optimizes equipment settings to reduce defects and overspray and improve powder consumption – helping to reduce costs, avoid rework and save time and energy.

The AI-based software has been in development for two years and an exclusivity agreement has just been signed by both parties – who joined forces after first crossing paths during AkzoNobel’s Paint the Future start-up challenge in 2021.

“We’re delighted to team up with coatingAI and strengthen our technical service capabilities,” says Remco Maassen van den Brink, Marketing Director of AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business. “We proactively look for ways to support customers in becoming more sustainable in their operations and this will significantly improve our ability to help them get better results – while contributing to our own ambition of halving carbon emissions across the value chain by 2030.”

“Our solution, built on the power of artificial intelligence and AkzoNobel’s technical expertise, will not only increase efficiency for their customers, but also drive greater sustainability within the powder coatings industry.”

The software enables customers to optimize equipment settings such as gun motion and achievemore uniform, consistent coverage with fewer flaws – all thanks to the AI-powered recommendations.

“Collaborating with a startup like coatingAI – who are pushing boundaries to transform the coatings industry – means we can accelerate our own powder revolution and provide services like no other,” adds Maassen van den Brink.

“It’s the latest example of how we constantly innovate and look for new ways to offer customers the most progressive and sustainable solutions.”