AkzoNobel invests in aerospace paints and coatings

The AkzoNobel site in Waukegan covers an area of 11 hectares and employs around 200 people. It produces a wide range of aerospace coatings, including primers, base coats, clear coats and pretreatment coatings. The site also has its own paint center. In addition to increasing capacity, installing new machinery and introducing more automated processes, the two-phase project also includes the creation of a new warehouse space just over the state line in Wisconsin. "This investment will increase our extensive supply capacity in North America and solidify our position as a leader in the aviation coatings industry," said Patrick Bourguignon, director of AkzoNobel's Automotive and Specialty Coatings business. "The demand for air travel is expected to increase significantly in the coming years and we want to ensure that our customers can meet this demand with the highest quality aircraft."

AkzoNobel expands Waukegan site

Ongoing improvements include the creation of a liquid pre-fill area, the installation of high-speed dissolving equipment and the creation of a quick service unit to enable faster delivery of coatings for the maintenance, repair and operations market. Relocating the warehouse to Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, will also free up space in Waukegan, allowing the company to produce more customized coatings and respond more quickly to customer needs. "Our customers demand - and deserve - world-class coatings," adds Martijn Arkesteijn, Global Operations Director at AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings. "We will be able to offer our current and future customers even more flexibility by delivering large batch sizes, better responding to market needs and shortening lead times for color development." The investment is part of AkzoNobel's Industrial Excellence program, which aims to improve operations and reduce complexity. By focusing on anchor sites that offer greater scalability and improved efficiency, the company aims to reduce operating costs and optimize its industrial network to increase competitiveness and drive sustainable growth.