AkzoNobel expands presence in Pakistan with new coating facility

PAKISTAN – AkzoNobel, a Dutch coating company, has significantly strengthened its presence in Pakistan with the inauguration of a new €26 million (US$28.2 million) manufacturing facility in Faisalabad.

This investment represents the company’s largest venture in the country to date. Spanning 25 acres, the site boasts state-of-the-art facilities catering to specialty coatings, oil coatings, protective coatings, decorative paint, wood finishes, and automotive coatings, aligning with the burgeoning demand across diverse markets.

Mubbasher Omar, CEO of AkzoNobel Pakistan, emphasizes the company’s commitment to delivering top-notch packaging coatings solutions, leveraging the capabilities of its global manufacturing network to serve esteemed packaging coatings clients in Pakistan.

Notably, AkzoNobel stands as the exclusive supplier to Pakistan Aluminium Beverage Cans, the nation’s premier manufacturer and exporter of aluminum beverage cans.

The newly established facility integrates a 5,450-square-foot forest area, envisioned to evolve into a self-sustaining ecosystem with the growth of over 1,400 native trees and shrubs within the next two years.

With a workforce of approximately 200 individuals, the manufacturing site has been meticulously designed to adhere to the company’s stringent environmental standards, incorporating sustainability features like renewable energy generation and energy-efficient design.

Omar highlights the implementation of agile manufacturing practices, enabling the facility to accommodate future production expansions, thereby enhancing AkzoNobel’s competitiveness in the market.

Despite the uneven growth of Pakistan’s coatings industry amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, AkzoNobel Pakistan has demonstrated remarkable resilience, outpacing industry growth in key segments such as two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and tractors.

Looking ahead, AkzoNobel aims to capitalize on its sustained growth momentum, particularly in protective and automotive coatings, leveraging the strategic location of the new facility on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor route and the export-oriented nature of the automobile industry.

Additionally, evolving regulatory standards for environmental protection and safety are anticipated to fuel the demand for AkzoNobel’s high-performance and eco-friendly coatings in Pakistan.

The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of esteemed guests, including Henny de Vries, the Netherlands Ambassador to Pakistan.

This expansion in Pakistan follows AkzoNobel’s recent announcement of the expansion of its Powder Coatings site in Como, Italy, further solidifying its commitment to customer service excellence across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

With the addition of four new manufacturing lines dedicated to automotive primers and architectural coatings, alongside enhanced bonding equipment lines, AkzoNobel is poised to elevate its service capabilities within the region.

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