United States. AkzoNobel has completed the $2.6 million ($3.5 million) expansion of its research and development facility in Houston, Texas.
The investment in the site, which employs around 40 scientists, will be carried out in phases over a three-year period and will support the Protective Coatings, Marine Coatings and Specialty Coatings businesses.
Part of AkzoNobel's ongoing investments in its global RD&I activities, the Houston upgrade follows a €12.6 million investment in a research and innovation centre in Felling, UK, announced earlier this year.
"Our new state-of-the-art research and development facility in Houston enhances our unique ability to develop and deliver products and innovations with specific performance requirements for North America." Our development capabilities are now second to none," said Steve Feldman, Vice President of Protective Coatings North America.
Additional capabilities at the facility include a dedicated area for experimental painting, a modern paint application laboratory, and environmentally controlled drying areas for test panel conditioning. Chemical resistance testing equipment is also available to support the Ceilcote and Enviroline coating ranges in North America.
