The company was also awarded a top grade on the Influential Supplier Climate A List for its efforts to combat climate change. The Dutch government recognized AkzoNobel's latest contribution to meeting national sustainability targets resulting from investments at its chemicals complex in Rotterdam. Human Cities: AkzoNobel joined forces with SOS Children's Villages to drive a positive impact on youth unemployment including professional training through the company's painter academies. More than 200 children in Egypt have benefited from a major renovation of their school's facilities by AkzoNobel volunteers. The company's Human Cities projects have touched the lives of more than 9 million people in the past year. Innovation: AkzoNobel signed an agreement with specialty chemicals company Itaconix to explore opportunities for the production of bio-based polymers.