AkzoNobel’s yacht coatings business has opened its first Yacht Paint Application Center (YPAC) in the Asia-Pacific region, providing product and technical training alongside advanced digital paint application tools. The state-of-the-art facility, located at Gold Coast City Marina in Coomera, will expand AkzoNobel's global technical network, offering applicators and industry professionals personalized consultations and hands-on training to improve skills and achieve high-quality results.

The facility features a mezzanine-level training room, paint mixing room, preparation bays and an advanced spray booth, serving as a hub for product education and professional training. Applicators and distributor representatives receive theoretical and practical training on paint application processes for yachts of all sizes, covering preparation, priming, filling, topcoat application and paint system maintenance and repair.

The center integrates new digital tools, including the Virtual Reality (VR) Spray Gun, XpertEye headset and the Awlgrip 3D Color Visualizer, enhancing the training experience. The VR Spray Gun allows applicators to simulate yacht painting techniques without physical products, providing instant feedback for skill refinement. The XpertEye headset offers remote technical support, allowing users to stream live video and capture images for real-time assistance. The Awlgrip 3D Color Visualizer gives users access to thousands of colors in a 3D environment, aiding in color selection.

Simon Knight, Regional Sales Manager of AkzoNobel’s yacht coatings, commented: “The opening of the Yacht Paint Application Center in Asia-Pacific reinforces our commitment to meeting the specific needs of our customers in this rapidly growing market. With personalized services, product expertise and cutting-edge technology, we are uniquely positioned as a partner of choice for any type of project.”

Kane Barfoot, Regional Technical Services Coordinator, added: “Our focus is to empower professional applicators with the knowledge and skills they need to excel. Following the success of our YPACs in North America and Europe, this new facility offers comprehensive training covering everything from theoretical paint knowledge to innovative application techniques.”

For more information, please visit www.yachtcoatings.com.