AkzoNobel Invests €50 Million to Expand Aerospace Coatings Operations in the United States

Global aerospace coatings manufacturer AkzoNobel has invested €50 million to strengthen its operations in North America. The investment will be used to upgrade its existing facility in Waukegan, Illinois, and to construct a new warehouse a few miles north, near the Wisconsin border.

The Waukegan site is AkzoNobel’s largest aerospace coatings manufacturing facility worldwide. Spanning 11 acres and employing approximately 200 people, the plant produces a wide range of aerospace coatings, including primers, topcoats, clearcoats, pretreatment products, and specialty coatings. The facility also houses an in-house color development center.

The new warehouse configuration will enable AkzoNobel to produce a greater volume of customized coatings and respond more rapidly to customer requirements.

Patrick Bourguignon, Director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Specialty Coatings business, commented:“Demand in the aerospace sector is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, and we want to ensure our customers can meet that demand with aircraft of the highest quality. This investment will strengthen our integrated supply capabilities across North America.”

Martin Akerstein, Global Operations Director for AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings, added: “By enabling higher-volume deliveries, faster market responsiveness, and shorter color development cycles, we will provide greater flexibility for both existing and future customers. This is not only about aesthetics—it is also about protection and sustainability.”

The expansion will be carried out in two phases. The existing Waukegan facility will continue to focus on raw material processing. Planned upgrades include the creation of a liquid pretreatment area, the installation of high-speed dissolvers, and the development of a fast-response service unit designed to accelerate turnaround times for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) market.

The second phase involves the construction of a new warehouse in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. This facility will store finished goods, freeing up warehouse space at the Waukegan site and ensuring consistent product availability to meet customer demand.

These ongoing improvements will continue through 2030 and form part of AkzoNobel’s Industrial Excellence program—a strategic initiative aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing complexity. By concentrating on larger, more efficient core sites, the company seeks to lower operating costs, optimize its industrial network, enhance competitiveness, and support sustainable growth.