CARGOCONNECT-AUGUST 2025 - Flipbook - Page 54
SACHIN JAIKISHAN BAJAJ
HEAD– SUPPLY CHAIN DESIGN,
AKZONOBEL
The seamless global
movement of our
products relies
on more than just
infrastructure…
In a time of global disruption, supply chain volatility, and rising
sustainability demands, AkzoNobel is redefining what operational
excellence looks like in the paints and coatings industry. In
this exclusive conversation, Sachin Jaikishan Bajaj, Head– Supply
Chain Design at the Dutch multinational company, speaks with
SMITI SURI about how the company is building an agile, data-driven,
and customer-centric supply chain. From tackling raw material
volatility and geopolitical shifts to pioneering digital control
towers, hybrid logistics models, and sustainable warehousing
practices, this deep dive explores how AkzoNobel’s supply chain is
becoming a strategic engine for resilience, innovation, and growth.
G
enesis and Operations
AkzoNobel is a global leader in the paints and coatings industry, backed by a legacy of over 200 years.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company has a
presence in more than 150 countries and is renowned for
its innovative, sustainable solutions delivered through
iconic brands like Dulux, Sikkens, and International. Driven by
a commitment to sustainability, safety, and customer-focused
innovation, AkzoNobel continues to provide essential protection
and colour to industries and consumers worldwide.
54 | CARGOCONNECT AUGUST 2025
Adapting to Economic, Industry, Consumer
Shifts and Changes
The paints and coatings industry has faced major
macro shifts in recent years, and at AkzoNobel, we’ve
continuously evolved our supply chain to stay agile,
resilient, and customer-focussed.
Volatile raw material markets, driven by geopolitical
tensions, Europe’s energy crisis, and shifts in China’s
export policies, have caused frequent shortages and
price instability. In response, we’ve adopted dual and
multi-sourcing strategies and enabled product reformulation through close collaboration between our
procurement and R&D teams, ensuring continuity
without compromising quality.
Sustainability and Environmental, Social, and
Governance (ESG) expectations are rising, especially
around Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) regulations,
carbon emissions, and circularity. We’ve embedded
sustainability into our supply chain—investing in low-VOC
and water-based technologies, optimising logistics to cut
emissions, and increasing use of recyclable packaging.
Geopolitical fragmentation and new trade barriers—from BREXIT to Red Sea disruptions—have prompted
us to regionalise manufacturing and distribution, build
