AkzoNobel opens plant in India

AkzoNobel has strengthened its manufacturing footprint in India by opening a €20M decorative paints plant in Gwalior, which will have an annual capacity of 55Mlits.

The eco-efficient Greenfield facility – AkzoNobel’s sixth factory in India – will supply a range of decorative paints and create improved distribution channels for the popular Dulux brand. The site will also help speed up transportation times and reduce the cost of logistics.

Speaking at the official inauguration, AkzoNobel CEO Ton Büchner said: "India plays an extremely important role in our growth strategy and the new Gwalior site underlines our commitment to creating a leading coatings powerhouse in India.

"As a global leader in sustainability, I’m also pleased that the plant has focused so heavily on energy, water and resource conservation, which will be vital in helping us to create more value from fewer resources.”

Added Amit Jain, Managing Director of AkzoNobel India: "The Gwalior plant will provide cost-effective access to key markets in the northern and central areas of India. This will greatly reinforce our strategy of expanding Dulux distribution, as well as improving customer service in these high growth regions.”

The factory has been built on 9000m² of land, with a greenbelt area of 9,000m², while sufficient infrastructure is in place to support expansion plans. Provision has also been made to accommodate key suppliers, allowing for a smoother manufacturing process. Special sustainability features include rainwater harvesting and energy efficient pumping systems, while 20% of the roofing area allows natural daylight to flood in, reducing the need for artificial lighting. AkzoNobel currently employs around 1800 people in India.