AkzoNobel Invests €50 Million to Upgrade US Aerospace Coatings Facilities

This article is based on an official press release from AkzoNobel.

AkzoNobel Announces €50 Million Upgrade to US Aerospace Coatings Operations

AkzoNobel has officially announced a significant investments of €50 million (approximately $52–55 million) to modernize and expand its aerospace coatings capabilities in North America. According to the company’s announcement on December 18, 2025, the project will focus on upgrading its flagship manufacturing facility in Waukegan, Illinois, and establishing a new distribution center in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.

This strategic move aims to increase production capacity and shorten lead times for airline and Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) customers. By enhancing its supply chain infrastructure, AkzoNobel intends to address the growing demand for air travel and the subsequent need for advanced aerospace coatings.

Strategic Expansion in Illinois and Wisconsin

The investment centers on the Waukegan facility, which currently serves as AkzoNobel’s largest aerospace coatings production site globally. The site employs approximately 200 people and houses a dedicated color center. According to the press release, the capital injection will fund the installation of new machinery and automated processes designed to handle larger batch sizes.

To further optimize operations, the company is relocating its warehousing and distribution activities to a new facility in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. This relocation is intended to free up floor space at the Waukegan plant, allowing for a focus on complex, customized chemical manufacturing.

Patrick Bourguignon, Director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Specialty Coatings, emphasized the forward-looking nature of the investment:

“This investment will increase our comprehensive North American supply capability and solidify our position as a frontrunner in the aerospace coatings industry. Demand for air travel is expected to grow significantly… and we want to make sure our customers are able to meet that demand.”

Operational Efficiency and the “Rapid Service Unit”

A key component of the upgrade is the introduction of a “Rapid Service Unit” dedicated to faster turnaround times for the MRO market. The company states that the new infrastructure will include a “liquid pre-batch area” and “high-speed dissolvers” to accelerate production.

Martijn Arkesteijn, Global Operations Director for AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings, noted that these improvements are designed to enhance flexibility for customers:

“We’ll be able to provide current and future customers with even more flexibility through the delivery of large batch sizes, better responsiveness to market needs and shorter lead time for color development.”

AirPro News Analysis: The Competitive Landscape

While AkzoNobel’s announcement focuses on internal efficiency, this investment arrives during a period of intensified competition within the North American aerospace sector. Earlier in 2025, rival manufacturer PPG announced a massive $380 million investment to construct a new aerospace coatings plant in Shelby, North Carolina.

In our view, AkzoNobel’s strategy differs significantly from its competitor’s greenfield approach. Rather than building new capacity from scratch, AkzoNobel is executing a targeted upgrade of existing assets. This “efficiency war” suggests that the company is betting on agility and technology upgrades, specifically the ability to deliver custom colors and small batches quickly via its new Rapid Service Unit, rather than simply expanding raw volume output.

Sustainability and Technology Integration

The upgraded facilities are also aligned with the aviation industry’s push for decarbonization. AkzoNobel highlighted that the investment supports the production of its “Basecoat/Clearcoat” systems, which are lighter than traditional coatings. Reducing paint weight is a critical factor for airlines seeking to lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Furthermore, the new automated processes are expected to reduce chemical waste and solvent use. The facility upgrades will likely support the increased production of chromate-free primers, meeting stricter regulatory requirements in both the United States and the European Union.

By localizing more storage and production capacity in North America, AkzoNobel also aims to bolster supply chain resilience, addressing vulnerabilities exposed during the post-pandemic aviation recovery.

Sources

• AkzoNobel Press Release