Toronto, Ontario -- Axalta Coating Systems has received six innovation awards from the Business Intelligence Group, including recognition for a waterborne clearcoat used in automotive refinishing.
The honours were laid on the Philadelphia-based global supplier of liquid and powder coatings for the refinish, mobility and industrial markets as part of the Business Intelligence Group’s BIG Innovation Awards program, which recognizes companies that bring new products and technologies to market across a range of industries.
“We are honored to receive this recognition from the Business Intelligence Group,” said Robert K. Roop, Ph.D., senior vice-president and chief technology officer at Axalta. “These awards reflect our continued focus on developing innovative solutions that help our customers solve real-world challenges.”
Among the products recognized was Axalta’s Spies Hecker Permahyd Hi-TEC 8260 Premium Waterborne Clearcoat. The company says the product is designed to reduce solvent emissions while maintaining productivity and finish quality in collision repair environments, reflecting a broader industry shift toward lower-emissions refinish systems.
In addition to refinish technologies, Axalta received awards for coatings developed for electric motors and other applications tied to the growth of electric vehicles. The company has been investing in low-temperature curing and high-performance coatings designed to support new vehicle architectures and evolving manufacturing processes.
The recognition comes as Axalta prepares to combine with AkzoNobel, a Netherlands-based global coatings manufacturer headquartered in Amsterdam, in an all-stock merger of equals announced in late 2025. The transaction is expected to create one of the world’s largest coatings companies, expanding scale across refinish, industrial and specialty coatings markets.
Under the proposed transaction, shareholders of AkzoNobel and Axalta would own the combined company, which is expected to maintain a strong presence in North America and Europe. The deal remains subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals and is anticipated to close in late 2026 or early 2027.
Company officials have said innovation and technology development will remain a priority as the combined organization integrates operations and positions itself for long-term growth. Axalta’s recent awards, they say, underscore the role product development plays in supporting customers as vehicle technology, environmental requirements and manufacturing demands continue to evolve.
The Business Intelligence Group said its Innovation Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts and are intended to recognize organizations whose products and services demonstrate originality and measurable impact.
