AkzoNobel opens new innovation hub in UK

AkzoNobel, leading paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, has announced the opening of a new facility in Felling, the UK. More than 100 of the coatings industry’s leading scientists are being brought together in a new €12.6 million research and innovation hub, which could revolutionise the company’s portfolio. The facility is expected to be operational at the end of 2018.

The facility will be home to teams of scientists and technical experts who will work on developing protective coatings for the energy, mining, infrastructure and oil and gas industries. The main focus will be on delivering cutting-edge innovations and efficiencies for protecting steel and concrete structures from damage caused by corrosion, abrasion and fire.

The new innovation hub will also offer a world-class testing and simulation facility, enabling tests to be carried out in conditions experienced in the world’s most extreme environments.

Conrad Keijzer of AkzoNobel said, “Our work at the state-of-the-art lab will have an important impact on our most critical industries. More than 100 top scientists and technical experts will be working on future solutions that will offer essential protection to a wide variety of products for our customers.”