United States. AkzoNobel Performance Coatings announced that it is investing approximately $3.4 million to expand its research and development facilities in Houston, Texas.
The updated facility will support the company's protective, marine and specialty coatings businesses. The facility is expected to be completed in early 2016.
"The expanded center will provide a state-of-the-art core technical resource for our U.S. businesses, creating the critical mass for effective research and development and to efficiently support our customers," said Aidan Mernin, director of Protective Coatings.
The expanded facilities will be able to accommodate up to 35 professionals for laboratory staff, with 30 qualified technologists initially employed. Key capabilities will include a dedicated area for experimental paint taking, a modern paint application laboratory and controlled environment drying areas for the conditioning of the test panels.
