Major Akzo Nobel investments in coatings research and development

Citation

(2004), "Major Akzo Nobel investments in coatings research and development", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 33 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2004.12933eab.016

Major Akzo Nobel investments in coatings research and development

Major Akzo Nobel investments in coatings research and development

Akzo Nobel has opened a new state-of-the-art R&D laboratory at its Marine & Protective coatings facility at Felling in the UK. The new lab is part of an ongoing investment of over EUR 10 million by the business unit into its research and development facilities around the world.

In addition to the new purpose-built R&D laboratory – which will serve the Company’s global marine and yacht coating businesses – the existing R&D building at the Felling site will be redesigned and transformed into the BU’s Technology Center.

The improvements at Felling follow on from significant investments in two other marine and yacht coatings R&D facilities. A new laboratory has been built at Geoje in South Korea, while a major upgrade was carried out at Newton Ferrers in the UK. Additional work was also carried out at the Asia Pacific Technical Center at Jurong Town, Singapore.

“These investments are part of our continuing commitment to innovative research and to deliver to our customers first class products coming from first class facilities,” said Rudy van der Meer, Member of Akzo Nobel’s Board of Management responsible for coatings, during the official opening in Felling. “Innovation means keeping one step ahead of customer requirements. It should not only enable them to increase efficiency and productivity but also to reduce costs. As the worldwide leading coatings company it is our aim to develop new products and technologies that combine excellent performance with compliance to the highest environmental standards.”

The primary development work at the newly opened laboratory will focus on the formulation of new antifouling technologies, new building coatings and maintenance and repair coatings for the marine and yacht markets.

“The existence of a worldwide network of integrated, first class laboratories capable of developing and testing products to the highest international standards is central to our ability to respond quickly to the constantly changing demands of the marketplace,” added Leif Darner, General Manager of the Marine and Protective Coatings business unit. “By investing heavily in laboratory facilities around the globe and developing new products and technologies, we will be in an even better position to keep pace with future needs, so ensuring that our customers the world over reap, the best possible benefits.”