[MEET THE SPONSOR] AkzoNobel
Photo 1: Maximilien Schréder and his team at a fair of AkzoNobel "Paint the Future"
Maximilien Schréder
"I encourage all members of the Benelux business community to be more proactive in reaching out to one another. Businesses often face similar challenges, even if they operate in different sectors or industries. After all, most BenCham members have to explain China Economic development back to our European teams, vice versa. Engage with one another, share insights, and explore new solutions together—we are all navigating the same cultural environment. Fostering productive, constructive dialogue is key," said Maximilien Schréder, Commercial Director, Global Consumer Electronics and North Asia Automotive & Vehicle Refinishes at AkzoNobel, and Board Member at the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.
Maximilien Schréder began his professional career after completing a degree in business engineering at Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve, starting with an international graduate program at Volvo Construction Equipment. Over the course of eight years, Maximilien rose to the position of Director Project China, responsible for purchasing and supplier management, afterwards transitioned to the paints and coatings industry towards Sales and General Management per his latest position at AkzoNobel.
A notable aspect of Maximilien and his family (wife and two sons of 8 and 11 years) is their global mobility: they have lived and worked in several cities such as Brussels, Eskiltuna, Singapore, Amsterdam, Ho Chi Minh and Shanghai where he has returned three times. His expertise includes leading business and sales force, building cross-functional customer centric team, and previous extensive background in procurement and sourcing.
In a special edition of "Meet the Sponsor," the Benelux Chamber sat down with Maximilien Schréder over lunch to discuss AkzoNobel’s journey towards sustainability.
AkzoNobel
AkzoNobel, a Dutch multinational with roots dating back to the 18th century, specializes in producing decorative paints and performance coatings. With 130 manufacturing facilities globally, including 18 sites, 6 regional offices, 2 technology development centers and over 4,600 employees in Greater China, AkzoNobel serves a diverse range of clients across all industries.
Its customer base includes sectors such as home appliances, industrial manufacturing, marine, aerospace, automotive, and powder coatings. Notably, AkzoNobel is the only paints and coatings company recognized as a sustainability leader by ESG rating agencies MSCI and Sustainalytics. In 2023, the company reported €10.7 billion in revenue, €1.03 billion in operating income and a global workforce of 35,200 employees.
Through its vision of "paint the future”, AkzoNobel brings color to the daily life and experiences of people, inspiring a more vibrant and sustainable future.
The foundation of AkzoNobel
AkzoNobel is founded on three core pillars: sustainability-driven innovation, exceptional quality and customer service, and fostering collaboration for growth.
For the sustainability pillar, AkzoNobel's operations in China support the country’s stringent regulations, particularly due to its handling of chemicals and hazardous materials. These strict standards combined with an extensive local chemical supply chain drive the production of high-quality and sustainable products positioning China as a key market and sustainability leader in the coatings industry.
Under the quality and customer service pillar, AkzoNobel's dedicated business development team focuses on cultivating strong client relationships and enhancing strategic partnerships. The team aims to identify customer pain points and customize solutions to maximize value creation, leveraging cutting-edge technology across various industrial sectors and applications.
In terms of empowerment and collaboration, AkzoNobel capitalizes on its global expertise and the strength of its capable local workforce. Through its groundbreaking “Paint the Future” initiative, the company collaborates with external strategic partners to drive sustainable impact, reduce its carbon footprint, and create shared value.
Therefore, AkzoNobel maximizes cost efficiency, advances sustainable development, and consistently delivers superior quality for its customers.
Trends in the coating industry
The coating industry is being shaped by three factors: technological innovation, evolving legislation, and shifting market dynamics. AkzoNobel has demonstrated its leadership in this space, particularly through its recent innovations in Consumer Electronics, Automotive OEM, and Vehicle Refinish.
In the Vehicle Refinish sector, a significant push towards sustainability is driven by both legislation and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). AkzoNobel has formed strong partnerships with leading Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) OEMs to supply Sikkens waterborne solutions for car repairs, which help body shops significantly reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and extend the durability of the electric vehicles.
Additionally, AkzoNobel provides waterborne coating solutions for both interior and exterior parts to global and local Automotive OEMs. As demand for sustainable solutions grows, these coatings are increasingly used in automated production lines, from design to application across various tiers of the automotive supply chain.
In the Consumer Electronics segment, customer preferences are continuously shifting, with increasing emphasis on aesthetics and haptics—such as smooth, silky textures that enhance both the look and durability of products like laptops and smartphones.
AkzoNobel’s commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions ensures that its technologies not only meet, but also anticipate, the latest trends, offering customers cutting-edge products that deliver both performance and satisfaction.
Advice to everyone
"Be patient. Believe in yourself. Dream big and take the long view. Don’t stress too much about how you’ll get there. Stay focused on the end goal.
When I first arrived in China, I had no idea I’d spend more than a decade here, moving back and forth three times. My time in Vietnam was incredibly rewarding. Early in my career, I concentrated on procurement and purchasing, gradually expanding my knowledge in finance, business, and manufacturing. Over time, I transitioned into areas closer to the customer as per my aspiration such as sales and general management.
For those just starting their careers: seek out a good mentor, find a workplace with collaborative colleagues, and set long-term career objectives."
Message to the Community
“The Benelux Chamber of Commerce is a relatively small community, but the impact of its network should not be underestimated. Join the events and contact the Chamber if you want to be more involved - services and calls to action can be provided.”
“AkzoNobel is a great company to work for, we are always looking for new talent to join us!”
Contact information
If you have any questions for Max, please contact Meg:
Contact Meg Luo: meg.luo@akzonobel.com
If you have any ideas or suggestions for potential strategic collaboration between the Chamber and your organization, please contact the Chamber:
Contact Benelux Chamber of Commerce: shanghai@bencham.org