Construction will start later this year. Once the new facilities are complete, Akzo says R&D activities presently housed in nearby Troy will relocate to Pontiac.

"This new R&D and production facility underscores our ambition to grow the car refinishes business in the US market," says 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."

The company currently supplies paint, decals, services and software for car repair, commercial vehicle and automotive markets. The main brands include Sikkens and Lesonal in car repair, and Sikkens Autocoat BT in commercial vehicles. Automotive plastic interior and exterior components customers are served by Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes.

Cor de Grauw, general manager of Azko Nobel Car Refinishes adds: "The establishment of the new facility re-emphasizes the importance of Akzo Nobel's presence in the US"

"The Pontiac 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," he says.

Along with the R&D facilities, Akzo Nobel will build a new hi-tech dispersion facility to produce Sikkens Autobase(R) Plus Car Refinishes paint for the North American region.

The hi-tech dispersion facility will produce highly concentrated intermediate products that are turned into finished paints in other parts of the world, close to local markets. The redevelopment of the Pontiac site will involve demolishing old and building new manufacturing units.

Instant Insights /

Akzo to Invest in Global Research, US Production Facilities

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