Kuala Lumpur, 5 August 2010 - Planting the seeds of environmental awareness and stewardship, AkzoNobel, the world's largest paints and Coatings Company, today launched its Dulux 'Go Green' campaign, which kicks off with a nationwide contest to educate consumers to choose 'green' paints during their next purchase.

Starting from 1 August until 30 October, consumers have the chance of winning the Grand Prize of a brand new Honda Civic Hybrid by participating in Dulux's 'Go Green' contest, an initiative to empower consumers to make informed purchases concerning paint with regard to the environment. "When customers think twice about their choice of paint and eventually purchase an eco-friendly paint, that is a small step to making a big difference in going green," said CW Goh, Managing Director of ICI Paints Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

"At AkzoNobel, sustainability for us means a conscious choice to make decisions that actively account for the long-term impact of our actions. This means that we seek to do the right thing. In our increasingly small world, the little things we do today can have a big impact on our children tomorrow; this is one demonstration of our belief in 'Tomorrow's Answers Today'. We are believers of this core value - to focus on our customers’ future first – and we wish for our customers and the community we live in to join us in this effort as well," he added.

To join the contest, consumers have to purchase a five-litre can of any of Dulux's eco-friendly paints, on which a sticker is attached with a simple question and contest code. Participants will then need to submit their answer along with the contest code via SMS. At the end of the contest period, 11 winners will be shortlisted to compete in an exciting finale to vie for the Grand Prize. Also, five first prize winners will win a Panasonic 42” HD Plasma TV each, and five second prize winners will each win a Panasonic Twin Door 395L Inverter Fridge.

Additionally, 20 winners per week will also be selected during the contest period to win amazing prizes such as Panasonic 32” LCD TVs and Panasonic Inverter Top Load Washers.

According to Goh, the contest is merely a precursor to a host of activities lined up to educate and empower consumers on environmental awareness and sustainability. "When we decided to ramp up our sustainability efforts this year, one of the key considerations was that there is no one-size-fits-all campaign. Different segments of the community understand and relate to the environment differently. With ‘Go Green’, we hope to connect with consumers in ways that they relate with," he said.

"By using the four elements of 'know green', 'choose green', 'use green', and 'invest green', we hope to help consumers understand the implications of paint to the environment, why it matters to purchase eco-friendly paints, the best painting methods to avoid wastage, and the proper methods to dispose paint. These practical and applicable messages will be carried throughout each Dulux 'Go Green' project, and hopefully leave an impression on consumers to 'go green'," he added.

Dulux 'Go Green' is AkzoNobel's latest initiative to champion the cause for environmental sustainability, following the success of its recent Dulux Paint Bank education and empowerment campaign.

Reinforcing its status as one of the world's most committed sustainable organisation, AkzoNobel has consistently listed as one of the leaders in the chemicals sector of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Indexes (DJSI) over the past few years. Locally, AkzoNobel is the first paint company in Malaysia to introduce a complete range of Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) products in the country and has recently upgraded its entire market-leading exteriors range, Weathershield, with heat reducing and energy saving "Keep Cool" technology.

For more information on Dulux Go Green, visit www.icidulux.com.my or call the customer care hotline at 1-800-88-9338 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm).