To meet growing demand for improved
antifouling performance, Jotun launched a
range of antifouling products that enable
a more predictable release of biocides over
the lifetime of the coating. Jotun also works
closely with shipyards to help them accelerate
production and comply with environmental
regulations. For example, in 2017, Jotun
launched a unique, solvent-free primer that
complies with emerging limits on solvent
emissions in Europe and South Korea. In
2019, Jotun also signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Hyundai Heavy
Industries to facilitate a close cooperation
to help the yard to manage Hazardous Air
Pollutants (HAPs).
To support owners and ship managers, Jotun
has developed value-adding digital services,
including one that allows owners to outsource
SeaStock management to Jotun. “Jotun
Voyager” is an introduced tool which enables
Jotun to gather and analyse information
from multiple sources to help owners
understand how different conditions impact
hull performance. Jotun’s close cooperation
with owners and shipyards and continued
development of innovative products and data-based
services has placed the company in a
strong position to build on its leading market
share in the future.
Powder Coatings
Jotun’s performance in the Powder Coatings
segment was negatively impacted by adverse
market conditions in three of the company’s
most important markets: Turkey, the UAE, and
Saudi Arabia. Jotun maintained its leading
market share in the mature Scandinavian
markets and recorded growth in Russia and
China, leading to modest sales growth in 2019.
While the sale of medium range products
helps support volume, Jotun’s development
focus is on premium products, especially for
building components, pipeline projects and
durable, exterior products for a broad range of
industrial applications. For example, in China,
Jotun launched an innovative product range
which allows architects to add higher metallic
content finishes to building components. Other
products previously launched to improve anti-corrosion
and weathering properties of exterior
industrial components are also gaining wider
acceptance by manufacturers.
Jotun has invested in internal and external
systems to leverage Jotun’s expertise in service
quality. Internally, Jotun launched an ambitious
competence development programme to
enable sales and technical service personnel
to understand and identify challenges faced
by customers. Externally, the company has
created teams which include R&D, sales and
technical personnel who work together to help
customers achieve optimal results. While the
company’s results in Powder Coatings in 2019
did not meet expectations, Jotun is confident
that steps taken to help Jotun differentiate
from competitors and sharpen focus on key
sub-segments will result in stronger growth
and profitability in the coming years.
4. Research and development
(R&D)
Jotun’s R&D is headquartered in Sandefjord,
Norway, with a global network of regional
laboratories in the UK, Turkey, Malaysia,
Thailand, US, Dubai, India, South Korea and
China. These laboratories focus on regional
product development, adapting or customising
existing products, the testing of raw materials,
quality assurance, and providing claims and
verification services when required.
Over the past five years, Jotun chemists have
increasingly focussed on meeting growing
demand for more environmentally friendly
paints and coatings and engineering products
to meet new or pending regulations. For
example, Jotun chemists developed the
industry’s first solvent-free steel primer (based
on patented technology) to help shipyards
comply with stricter limits on the use of Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOCs). Furthermore,
to help real estate developers add value to
buildings, Jotun has developed solvent-free
steel protection products and ultra-low VOC
interior paint systems, supported by the
necessary documentation, in order for them to
gain points for green building certification.
Jotun has developed several products that
add value for end users and supported the
development of new concepts in the Protective
Coatings segment that help companies active
in the hydrocarbon processing industry save
money and enhance overall operational
efficiency. In 2019, Jotun broke ground on
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a new R&D centre in Dubai and with the
scheduled opening of Jotun’s headquarters and
global R&D centre in Sandefjord, Norway in
2020, the company is in a strong position to
accelerate the development and testing of new
products in all segments in the years ahead.
5. Competence development
Jotun works across all segments and regions
to develop individual and team competence
with a unified approach to create a stronger,
more flexible organisation. Jotun has three
competence development pillars: The Jotun
Academy, a vital resource for strengthening
corporate culture and individual skills within key
business areas; Digital Learning, an advanced
suite of digital tools that provides point-of-work
learning and helps employees keep
pace with change; and Team Development,
delivering workshops and tools to enhance
team effectiveness. These provide a platform
whereby structured, targeted training and
support translates to lasting improvement and
behavioural change.
In 2019, Jotun introduced a new Management
Academy Toolbox. The toolbox provides a
“one-stop-shop” resource, allowing users ease
of access to knowledge, best practices and
tools based on Jotun’s Leadership Development
Path. To ensure Jotun employees have the
requisite computer skill and understanding, the
company launched Digital Workplace training
to achieve better information sharing, data
security, individual competency, and enhanced
operational efficiency. Also, Jotun launched
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