AkzoNobel has reported fourth quarter and full-year results including the successful delivery on 2015 financial targets.

Full-year operating income increased 59 percent to €1,573 million (excluding incidentals up 36 percent at €1,462 million), as a result of process optimization, lower costs, reduced restructuring expenses, favorable currency developments and incidental items. The company was recognized as a leader in the field of sustainability by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (the Materials industry group) for the fourth year in a row.

CEO Ton Büchner said, “We successfully achieved our 2015 financial targets in what was a record year for AkzoNobel in a number of areas including return on sales, return on investment and sustainability. The proposed increase of the total dividend is also a clear sign that we are more confident about our cashflow generation.

“Looking ahead, we expect 2016 to be a challenging year and anticipate limited support from the markets in which we operate. We will continue to build on our foundation of operational excellence, adding organic growth and innovation to the next phase of our strategy, creating everyday essentials to make lives more liveable and inspiring.”