April 23 (Reuters) - AkzoNobel reported a 19% rise in first-quarter core profit on Tuesday, beating analysts' expectations, boosted by price hikes and lower raw material costs.

The Dutch paints and coatings maker posted adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 363 million euros ($386.67 million), up from 305 million euros a year ago, and above the 348 million expected by analysts in a company-provided consensus. ($1 = 0.9388 euros) (Reporting by Stéphanie Hamel; Editing by Josephine Mason;)