International selected for flagship energy project

Corrosion protection for renewable energy applications.

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International delivers expertise for China’s green hydrogen sector

One of China’s most ambitious green energy initiatives – and the largest project of its type in the world – is being protected by high-performance coatings supplied by AkzoNobel.

The company’s International^® brand is providing long-term corrosion protection, along with chemical and heat resistant coatings, for the wind power and chemical processing facilities at the Songyuan Hydrogen Energy Industrial Park. Constructed by China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd., the development is the world’s largest integrated green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol project.

Now in phase two, the industrial park operates entirely on 100% renewable electricity and is currently focused on producing 45,000 tons of green hydrogen and 200,000 tons of green ammonia and methanol annually.

Aerial view of the Songyuan Hydrogen Energy Industrial Park in China, showing industrial buildings, hydrogen storage tanks and renewable energy infrastructure.

“It’s a great honor for AkzoNobel to participate in this flagship national initiative with global significance, this validates our technical capabilities in corrosion protection for renewable energy applications and demonstrates our commitment to supporting the green energy sector.”

- Rob Leslie, Business Director of AkzoNobel’s Marine and Protective Coatings business in Greater China.

Coatings designed for harsh operating environments

Wind turbines and chemical facilities are exposed to harsh outdoor conditions, including severe corrosion and extreme temperature fluctuations. The coatings systems supplied by the International^® brand were selected to help address these challenges.

The advanced steel structure is protected using a coatings system that includes Interzinc 52E, Interthane 990E and Intergard 475HS. The system provides reduced VOC emissions alongside anti-corrosion protection.

For critical piping and ammonia tanks, Interbond 2340UPC was selected for its ease of application and reputation for protecting against corrosion under insulation (CUI), qualified to the latest standards.

Hydrogen storage spheres were coated with Interseal 670HS and paired with a topcoat recognized on the GB register of solar reflective coatings, ensuring compliance and safety.

Supporting carbon neutrality ambitions

“We’re fully focused on helping customers meet the challenges of extreme manufacturing environments and complex operating conditions. We’ll continue to tailor our protective solutions in China so we can support the energy sector’s carbon neutrality ambition.”

- Rob Leslie, Business Director, Marine & PC

AkzoNobel has reduced its own Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 47% compared with the 2018 baseline and is aiming for a 50% reduction across the value chain by 2030. A significant contributing factor is the company’s increasing use of renewable electricity, which reached 69% by the end of 2025.

Construction on the Songyuan project first began in 2023. The development spans the full industrial chain – from renewable electricity to green hydrogen, then to green ammonia and methanol – helping address the challenge of balancing renewable power intermittency with the stability required for chemical production.