 |
|
PaintSquare Daily News is available in three editions: Industrial Only Commercial Only Combined Industrial & Commercial Your free subscription also includes: Special topical editions and Weekend Brief—a recap of the week’s top news and some great in-depth reads. Subscribe now: paintsquare.com/psdn |
AkzoNobel Opens Advanced, Sustainable UK Plant
Global paints and coatings company AkzoNobel (Amsterdam) announced Tuesday (Sept. 12) that it has opened a new decorative paints plant in Ashington, in the United Kingdom.
The company says that the facility—which cost more than 100 million euros (about $120 million)—is the most advanced and sustainable paint plant in the world. The facility is also billed as the company’s largest global investment by the Decorative Paints segment, and will become the new production center for its paint brand Dulux.
"This is a significant investment in the U.K.—a vital strategic market for us—and an important milestone for AkzoNobel," said CEO Thierry Vanlancker.
"We continue to invest in highly innovative and sustainable production facilities to maintain and grow our leadership position, ensuring the best products for our customers in the U.K. and around the world."
Technology & Sustainability
The plant uses a variety of renewable energy sources, according to the company, including photovoltaic cells, a biomass boiler and an automated manufacturing process that saves water, waste and energy.
 |
|
The company says that the facility—which cost more than 100 million euros (about $120 million)—is the most advanced and sustainable paint plant in the world. The facility is also billed as the company’s largest global investment by the Decorative Paints segment, and will become the new production center for its paint brand Dulux. |
All manufacturing technologies are managed by a single computer system, meaning that every activity can be initiated without operator intervention. This production system allows the plant to be capable of producing paint across the AkzoNobel line, which includes Dulux, Dulux Trade, Cuprinol, Polycell, Hammerite and Armstead.
The facility is capable of doubling AkzoNobel’s U.K. production levels to 200 million liters a year—which is enough paint to redecorate every living room, bathroom and kitchen in the U.K., according to the company.
"The huge investment by AkzoNobel in Ashington has delivered the most advanced paint factory in the world, and an important boost to the local economy,” said Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox.
“As an international economic department, we encouraged AkzoNobel to choose Northumberland because the U.K. has the right skills base, infrastructure and supply chains to grow their business. Their decision is a vote of confidence in the Northern Powerhouse as a destination for foreign investment, and demonstrates the rock-solid relationship between the Dutch and U.K. economies."
