European Chemical Industry News & Insights

AkzoNobel Expands Powder Coatings Capacity and Advances Greener Production

At a glance
  • €20 million investment to increase powder coatings capacity in Como, Italy.
  • New facility in Como will provide strategic back-up for Arnsberg, Germany.
  • Sustainability features include recycled energy and advanced technology.
  • Recent upgrades in China and Vietnam focus on greener production methods.

Investment in Como, Italy

AkzoNobel is investing €20 million to expand powder coatings capacity at its Como site, the largest in Europe for this product. This expansion will focus on automotive coatings and provide strategic support for the Arnsberg site in Germany, where a new production line is also being added.

Sustainability Initiatives

The new facility in Como will be housed in a renovated building, utilizing advanced equipment and technology to enhance productivity and efficiency. The operation will also use recycled energy to reduce consumption, aligning with AkzoNobel's sustainability goals.

Global Expansion

This investment follows recent expansions in China and Vietnam aimed at installing greener facilities and production methods. In Vietnam, the Amata Industrial Park facility is increasing capacity for marine, protective, and wood coatings, incorporating features like solar power generation, rainwater harvesting, and solvent recovery systems.

Water-Based Products in China

In Guangzhou, China, AkzoNobel is transitioning to water-based products, which will increase water reuse by 70% and reduce wastewater by 50%. This is part of the company's goal to achieve 100% water reuse at its most water-intensive sites by 2030.

Commitment to Sustainability

These efforts are part of AkzoNobel's broader "People. Planet. Paint." sustainability approach. Currently, around 33% of the company's locations use renewable electricity, with plans to increase this number, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability in the paints and coatings industry.