The Dutch-owned yacht coatings leader has opened a Yacht Paint Application Center in Australia.

Opening ceremony for the YPAC at the Gold Coast City Marina in Australia

AkzoNobel’s yacht coatings business has opened its first Yacht Paint Application Center (YPAC) in the Asia-Pacific region, with the new base in Australia offering world-class product and technical training alongside the latest cutting-edge digital paint application tools.

Located in the Gold Coast City Marina in Coomera, the state-of-the-art facility in Queensland was launched to enhance AkzoNobel’s global technical network, which supports applicators and industry professionals with personalised consultations and a hands-on training programme to improve skills and deliver high-quality results.

Simon Knight, Regional Sales Manager of AkzoNobel Yacht Coatings, hosted the YPAC’s opening ceremony, with Jemma Lampkin, Commercial Director of AkzoNobel Yacht Coatings, attending the special occasion.

Jemma Lampkin (Commercial Director) and Simon Knight (Regional Sales Manager) of AkzoNobel Yacht Coatings cut the ribbon

Knight said: “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 personalised services, product expertise and cutting-edge technology, we are uniquely positioned as a partner of choice for any type of project.”

Featuring a mezzanine-level training room, paint mixing room, preparation bays and an advanced spray booth, the facility serves as a hub for product education and professional training.

Applicators and distributor representatives can receive theoretical and practical training on the paint-application process for yachts of all sizes. The curriculum includes preparation, priming, filling, topcoat application, maintenance and repair of the paint system.

The announcement follows the launch of the Virtual Reality (VR) Spray Gun and the XpertEye headset, two new digital innovations alongside the Awlgrip 3D Color Visualizer, which will be available at the YPAC to further enhance the training experience.

Demonstration of the Virtual Reality (VR) Spray Gun

Designed to enhance training for both experienced and new applicators, the VR Spray Gun simulates real-world yacht painting techniques without using any physical product. Applicators can use Awlgrip®, Interlux®, International® or Sea Hawk® systems to practise adjusting spray-gun settings, mastering application angles, and improving techniques for primers, topcoats and fouling control.

The VR Spray Gun provides users with instant feedback on their technique, which allows them to refine their skills before working with real coatings.

For applicators and boatyards seeking remote technical support, the XpertEye camera headset is a safe and hands-free visual assistant tool that connects users directly to the AkzoNobel technical team for real-time technical support.

Users can stream live video and capture images, enabling the AkzoNobel team to observe issues and provide immediate guidance from anywhere in the world. The software is compatible with both Apple and Google operating systems, and can be easily accessed via mobile devices, ensuring support is always within reach.

AkzoNobel staff at Asia-Pacific’s first Yacht Paint Application Center

The Awlgrip 3D Color Visualizer is an innovative, industry-leading tool designed to empower boaters and applicators by simplifying their journey to find the ideal colour for their boat. Unique algorithms provide users with a visual representation of what their boat could look like in a 3D virtual environment. The Awlgrip colour database offers users access to tens of thousands of colours.

Kane Barfoot, AkzoNobel Yacht Coatings’ Regional Technical Services Coordinator, said: “Our focus is to empower professional applicators with the knowledge and skills they need to excel.

“Following on from the success of our YPACs in North America and Europe, this new facility will offer comprehensive training programmes that cover everything from theoretical paint knowledge to innovative application techniques. We’re excited to be the centre for professional development in the region, helping applicators, distributors, retailers and yards stay ahead of the curve.”

yachtcoatings.com