AkzoNobel's Largest Powder Coatings Plant Worldwide Starts Production in China

AkzoNobel officially commenced production at its new powder coating facility in the Changzhou National High-Tech District (CND) in China on 29 May 2018. With an investment of approximately EUR 40 million and occupying one-quarter of AkzoNobel's total planned area in the Changzhou region, this facility is AkzoNobel's largest powder coating plant globally, with a design capacity of 46,000 tonnes per year. The opening ceremony was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including government officials from Changzhou and CND, as well as Liang Yibo, Chen Zhengchun and Xu Yawei. Based in the Netherlands, AkzoNobel is committed to making the world more livable by delivering high-quality coatings and continuously improving product quality through its portfolio of internationally trusted brands such as Dulux, International and Sikkens. AkzoNobel's planned Changzhou coating facility, which will serve as the sole production hub for various high-performance coatings, is expected to meet local customer needs thanks to its strong capabilities in both liquid and powder coating production. AkzoNobel's products, recognized in the industry as an environmentally friendly powder coating brand thanks to their VOC-free, lightfastness and weather-resistant properties, are experiencing wider application across an increasing number of sectors. Based on the highest standards of sustainability, the Changzhou facility will employ advanced technologies including a rotary vacuum water recycling system to ensure zero emissions and 100% recycling of wastewater to enable sustainable production and operation of the facility. The facility will supply products to seven different sectors in China's eastern market, including white goods, construction materials, functional products, furniture, heavy industry and IT, as well as automotive powder coatings expected to be sold throughout China. Additionally, the facility will produce metal powder coatings and will be one of only a few plants in China engaged in production in this area. The Changzhou National High-Tech District (CND) is located in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta and 163 kilometres west of Shanghai. 1,580 foreign investment companies operate in CND. Among these foreign investment companies, 43 are among the World's Top 500 enterprises. The industrial, aerospace, photovoltaic and biomedical industries are developing rapidly in the CND region.