October 1, 2013

Two Swedish scientists have won the 2013 AkzoNobel Science Award in recognition of their prominent research in the fields of materials and surface engineering.

Lars Hultman, of Linköping University, and Per Claesson, from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), will be presented with their awards today at a special event in Stockholm. Both will receive a certificate of recognition and an equal share of the SEK 500,000 prize.

Professor Hultman - Head of Thin Film Physics at Linköping University - is being honored for his work in materials science and nanotechnology, and in particular his contribution to our knowledge and understanding of the physics of thin films and ion-surface interactions.

As Head of the Division of Surface and Corrosion Science at the Royal Institute of Technology, Professor Claesson is being recognized for his contribution to our understanding of interfacial forces, adsorption and the self-assembly of molecular species.

"We are privileged to recognize the outstanding work of this year`s winners," said AkzoNobel Executive Committee member Werner Fuhrmann, who will officially present the award.

"As a company, we are passionate about creating a more sustainable future through scientific research, and we will continue to support leading-edge scientists as they strive to create new frontiers and advance our understanding in fields of chemistry and materials science. We will, in turn, be able to use this newfound knowledge to further improve our products and advance manufacturing technologies in the fields of coatings and specialty chemicals. This will also help our customers to deliver better products through features such as durability, corrosion resistance and fire protection."

A specially invited audience is attending today`s event in Stockholm, which will also include a panel discussion about the chemical industry`s role in creating a sustainable society, along with a showcase of recent AkzoNobel innovations.

Established to recognize outstanding scientific contributions in the fields of chemistry and materials science, the AkzoNobel Science Award is bestowed in several countries. The winners are chosen by an independent panel of judges convened by partners in those countries. In Sweden, we work with the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.

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AkzoNobel is a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals. We supply industries and consumers worldwide with innovative products and are passionate about developing sustainable answers for our customers. Our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we are consistently ranked as one of the leaders in the area of sustainability. With operations in more than 80 countries, our 50,000 people around the world are committed to delivering leading products and technologies to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing world.