Akzo Nobel has announced the creation of a new business unit. The launch of the
powder coatings business unit underlines the Company's
commitment to meeting the specific needs of
coatings/order_t/'>powder coatings users worldwide.
Following Akzo Nobel's acquisition of Courtaulds in July 1998, and after an intensive period of integration and rationalization, a stronger and fully integrated world leading unit has emerged. Operating under a single
business brand – Interpon® Powder
coatings – the new global business is now better positioned to serve the needs of its diverse range of customers across the world.
Akzo Nobel markets two global powder product brands - Interpon for the architectural, automotive, appliance and industrial finishing markets, and Resicoat® for the functional markets of electrical insulation,
valves and
pipe
fittings and
steel rebar. A coherent manufacturing and commercial strategy has been developed which focuses on the more effective use of powder sites across the world to improve flexibility and response time to
the benefit of our customers.
Rudy van der Meer, Akzo Nobel's Board Member responsible for Coatings explained: "By launching Powder Coatings as a separate, focused worldwide business unit, we are underlining the importance of this fast
growing coatings sector. Our market leadership and global spread will provide a solid platform for continuing growth. We are an ideal partner for any international customer who uses powder coatings and requires
consistency in product and service across its international operations.”
Bill
McPherson, General Manager of the newly-formed Powder Coatings business unit explained further: "Powder Coatings are increasingly seen as the preferred choice of finishers operating in a world which is strongly
focused on environmental issues. The environmental benefit, plus their well-reputed toughness and durability, will continue to drive further growth in powder usage as our industry takes on and solves the technology
challenges presented by new areas of application.
“Patented color
mixing technology has revolutionized service levels in small-batch, custom-matched powder orders. The rapid-response service based on this technology, ‘Interpon Express’, is being rolled out this year
right across the world, following successful implementations in the UK,
France,
Germany,
Sweden and
China. Customers of Interpon Express can now buy any quantity, right down to a single box, of their special
custom-matched color and have it delivered in a far quicker time than was ever possible with traditional powder
process technology.”