AkzoNobel efforts to maintaining the historical beauty of heritages

Pamela Phua, general director of AkzoNobel

What roles do enterprises play in the preservation of national heritage sites and relics?

Heritage preservation is a huge mission, and solving it requires co-operation from all parties. Some draw the path, some provide guidance, and some implement. Enterprises own technologies and products to help make plans come true. Besides, they are the ones who understand those structures the most, which makes them uniquely fit for the role of a supporter, an assistant to help developers understand the heritages and suggest proper solutions.

How does AkzoNobel apply its paint and coating solutions to preserve heritage sites across the world and in Vietnam?

AkzoNobel is proud to have repainted the entire Burkill Hall, the wooden house of the director of Singapore Botanical Garden, Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage Site – and one of its most historically significant buildings. The renovation of Burkill Hall – which returned the building to its original glory as an Anglo-Malayan plantation-style house – is the first flagship Human Cities project to be announced as part of the company’s commitment to the 100 Resilient Cities programme.

Besides, colour experts at AkzoNobel completed the digital recreation of a Van Gogh masterpiece. The three-year project endeavoured to get as close as possible to reconstructing the original colour scheme used by the artist when he first made the painting. Our products also involved in the restoration and protecting of Rijksmuseum (Netherlands) and Malacca (Malaysia).

In Vietnam, several outstanding works have been revitalised by AkzoNobel’s products, including the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts and Dai Lanh Lighthouse – Phu Yen province’s 100-year-old symbol.

As the participation of enterprises in preserving heritage sites and relics is still limited, how would you encourage enterprises to join in this meaningful activity?

Firstly, it is a must to raise awareness of the issue. Secondly, companies ought to know their vital role in the game. Thirdly, they should be made to believe in their ability to contribute.

In addition to this seminar, this morning, I had time with another event on the same topic held by SCE Project Asia and IUAV. I think such events are great occasions to cover the above three objectives, giving us chances to raise our voice and confirm our role. Here we have representatives from all sectors to share and discuss the issue, showing successful case studies and suggesting innovative solutions. Thus, we would all believe in the possibility of contributing to the preservation of our products and services.

Besides, I think each company should express the message through its network of partners, clients, and suppliers and force them to apply sustainable thinking in all process. Once this is done, our power will multiply.

What are AkzoNobel’s plans to help people understand and respect their past?

Of course, we will conntinue to innovate our products to be more sustainable, durable, and fitting to apply on heritages. AkzoNobel currently has millions of consumers – this is an effective channel. Imagine how effective it could be when we express the message through each product and each sales agent talking directly to customers.

Sponsoring the repainting of historical structures is another step in our plan as it could strongly influence local people and tourists. Besides, we will regularly co-operate with parties to exchange experiences and thoughts and help build a masterplan for each community.