Liquid and powder coatings supplier Axalta (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) has broken ground on the newest phase of its Jiading plant in Shanghai, China, which represents a key regional investment in waterborne coatings. Expected to be operational by early 2021, this expanded facility should position Axalta to meet rising demand for sustainable coatings from automotive and industrial customers across southern and eastern China.
“The next generation of world-leading waterborne coatings technology that will be produced at our expanded facility is designed to benefit the industry and environment by creating superior appearance, lowering energy consumption, and reducing carbon dioxide and volatile organic compound emissions,” says Willie Wu, president of Axalta Greater China.
Axalta opened its Shanghai Jiading waterborne plant in March 2015. Since the company’s journey in China began in 1984, it has built liquid coating plants in Jiading, Shanghai, and Changchun, Jilin, as well as a powder coating plant in Qingpu, Shanghai, and four refinish training centers. Axalta opened its Asia Pacific Technology Center in Shanghai in 2017. The manufacturer’s unique design process includes automated production technology to maximize productivity, reduce energy consumption, and minimize environmental impacts.
“This investment into waterborne coatings production is vital to the current and future growth of Axalta,” says Steven Markevich, executive vice president and president for the transportation coatings business in Greater China. “As the Chinese market for automobiles and industrial goods continues to grow, evolve, and mature, we believe this investment will place us in an ideal position to meet growing demand among our customers for sustainable products and innovative applications.”
Source: Axalta, www.axalta.com.