AkzoNobel invests $30 million to increase powder coating production capacity at four North American sites

AkzoNobel is implementing new extruders, thermoplastics and bonding processes at its facilities in Reading, Pennsylvania, Warsaw, Indiana, Nashville, Tennessee, and Monterrey, Mexico. It will bring many benefits, such as increased productivity and expanded application functionality.

These enhancements will help maximize the versatility and long-term sustainable performance of AkzoNobel's powder coatings portfolio and this follows recent powder manufacturing investments in Como in Italy and the multi-site in Bac Ninh, Vietnam, to support the company’s growth ambitions in Europe and Asia respectively.

"Demand for powder coatings is expected to rise as customers continue to prioritize sustainability, durability and performance," explains Jeff Jirak, global director of AkzoNobel's powder coatings business. "By staying ahead of the curve and investing in these advanced technologies, we position ourselves as a leader in this booming market, driving innovation and delivering value to customers in North America and around the world."

Incorporating innovative thermoplastic materials into powder coating formulations will open up new possibilities for a variety of applications and performance enhancements. Efficient bonding between pigment particles and resin matrix is critical to achieving durable and beautiful powder coatings, and advanced extruders will enable real-time adjustments and maintain precise control of the extrusion process.