AkzoNobel's global coatings expertise is one of the first things visitors experience when they visit the Shanghai World Expo.

The company's products have been used to paint 10 of the main pavilions, as well as several other buildings, including the Expo Axis, Expo Village and Expo Performance Center. More than 70 million people are expected to attend before the event closes in October.

"Having been closely associated with China for nearly three decades, the company is both proud and excited to be involved with the World Expo 2010," said Leif Darner, board member of AkzoNobel, responsible for China.

"The event will be a tremendous global stage for China and represents a perfect opportunity for AkzoNobel - the world's largest paint and coatings company - to showcase its extensive portfolio of high performance products."

Along with the distinctive China Pavilion, the company's coatings have been used on the pavilions of countries such as Spain, the UAE, Germany, Norway, Mexico and Canada.

Advanced coatings technology developed by AkzoNobel will also be on show in the Dutch Pavilion, which houses a model of a futuristic airliner. Dubbed Zeft, the sustainable aircraft has been coated with the company's aerospace coatings.

AkzoNobel is also a sponsor of the Dutch Pavilion, also known as Happy Street.

"Asia - and China in particular - is pivotal to our global strategy," continued Darner. "We have been actively increasing our presence in China and will keep investing in what is a key market. I'm sure the World Expo 2010 will be another landmark in the country's ongoing success."