AkzoNobel Opens World's Most Advanced and Sustainable Paint Factory

AkzoNobel Opens World's Most Advanced and Sustainable Paint Manufacturing Facility in Ashington, UK AkzoNobel has formally opened its new state-of-the-art paint manufacturing facility in Ashington, United Kingdom. The high-technology facility, exceeding EUR 100 million in investment, represents the company's largest global investment in its Decorative Paints business to date. The facility will serve as the new production hub for Dulux, the UK's leading decorative paint brand. The Ashington plant utilizes various renewable energy sources, including photovoltaic cells and a biomass boiler, alongside a highly automated production process that conserves water, waste and energy. The company estimates that the carbon footprint per unit of paint produced on-site will be reduced by 50 percent compared to the manufacturing facilities it replaces. Chief Executive Officer Thierry Vanlancker stated, "This is a major investment for the UK - a strategically vital market for us - and a significant milestone for AkzoNobel. We continue to invest in highly innovative and sustainable manufacturing facilities to maintain and strengthen our leading position and to deliver the best products to our customers in the UK and around the world.

Our growth strategy means we will continue to lead the paints and coatings industry with the strongest brands and the most advanced technology."

The facility will double AkzoNobel's current UK production capacity to up to 200 million liters annually - a volume sufficient to redecorate every living room, bathroom and kitchen in the United Kingdom. The plant encompasses 100,000 m² of space and is designed with capacity to support future growth plans. Ruud Joosten, President of AkzoNobel Paints and Coatings, commented: "Ashington secures AkzoNobel's future as a producer of superior products, including paints that improve air quality, enhance energy efficiency and provide protection against bacteria. We took the best technology available in the world, developed it, and brought it all together under one roof, demonstrating that this new facility represents a significant step forward for the entire industry." Dr. Liam Fox, UK Minister of State for International Trade, remarked: "AkzoNobel's major investment in Ashington represents the world's most advanced paint manufacturing facility and has delivered significant benefit to the local economy. As an international economic department, we encouraged AkzoNobel to choose Northumberland because the UK has the right skills base, infrastructure and supply chains for businesses to grow. Their decision is a vote of confidence in the Northern Powerhouse as a destination for foreign investment and demonstrates the strong relationship between Dutch and UK economies." All manufacturing technologies within the facility are managed by a single integrated computer system. This means that every process, from ordering raw materials to shipping finished products, can be initiated without operator intervention. With a highly agile production system, the facility has the capacity to manufacture the complete AkzoNobel product range, including Dulux, Dulux Trade, Cuprinol, Policell, Hammerite and Armstead. Ashington will also be home to the UK's second Dulux Academy. The specialized training center is designed to provide painters and decorators with the expertise and knowledge necessary for professional success. The first academy, previously located in Slough, had trained 1,600 individuals.