Citation
(2003), "Akzo Nobel announces plans for new US auto-refinish R&D, dispersion facilities", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 32 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2003.12932fab.022
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
Akzo Nobel announces plans for new US auto-refinish R&D, dispersion facilities
Akzo Nobel announces plans for new US auto-refinish R&D, dispersion facilities
Akzo Nobel have announced plans to build an international R&D center in Pontiac, MI, for the company's car refinishes business, and said "the site will play a major role in the development of new products for the global and regional refinishes markets". In addition, Akzo Nobel said that it will also build a new high-tech dispersion facility to produce its Sikkens Autobase Plus auto-refinish paint for the North American market. The dispersion facility will produce highly concentrated intermediate products that will be processed into finished paints at other locations close to local markets. The company said that the two projects will represent a total investment of approximately $30 million.
The new facilities will result from the redevelopment of Akzo Nobel's existing Pontiac site, where the company will replace old manufacturing units. R&D activities currently located in nearby Troy, MI, will be relocated to the new facilities in Pontiac. Construction will start later this year.
"This new R&D and production facility underscores our ambition to grow the Car Refinishes business in the US market", said Rudy van der Meer, Akzo Nobel's board member responsible for Coatings. "Technological expertise is of paramount importance for coatings in general and for car refinishes in particular, and these investments will enhance our global technological leadership".
Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes operates two other global research centers, located in Sassenheim, The Netherlands, and Bangalore, India. The business also has major production facilities in Sassenheim; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vantaa, Finland; Zona Franca, Spain; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Suzhou, China.
Cor de Grauw, General Manager of Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes, said "the new facility re-emphasizes the importance of Akzo Nobel's presence in the US". He said "the site will play a major role, not just in growing the market for Car Refinishes in the US, but it will also help to support our global activities in research and development and in manufacturing".