China – A newly updated and automated production line is up and running at AkzoNobel’s Suzhou site in China, part of a €14 million investment designed to accelerate growth and double the plant’s capacity for marine and protective coatings by 2025.
The recent upgrade – which will already boost daily capacity by more than 40% – is scheduled to be followed by updates to three additional lines, which will result in the doubling of overall capacity before the end of next year.
The recently completed work involved enhancing the automation of existing waste gas treatment, filling and grinding systems. Other planned site improvements include accelerating Suzhou’s transition to using 100% renewable electricity by 2025.
The upgrade will enable AkzoNobel to adapt faster to the dynamic Chinese market. There’s growing demand for marine and protective coatings in China as it leads the global shipbuilding market.
