Investing For The Future

Due to increasingly strong demand for Interpon powder coatings in Mexico and Central America, AkzoNobel has substantially expanded production capacity at its Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Mexico facility. A new, state-of-the-art production line has been added to meet the current and future growth expected in the architectural, automotive and industrial powder markets.  
 
Doug Barbe, Regional Manufacturing Director Americas of AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business, says that Mexico and Central America are important markets for Interpon: “This is a significant investment in Mexico – a strategic market which is recognising and embracing the benefits of powder coatings that deliver greater efficiency, create less waste, and have minimal impact on the environment.”
 
“As a market leader, we have a reputation for continuous innovation on a global scale, convincing specifiers of the benefits of powder coatings,” adds Jim Clark, Regional Marketing Manager North America. “Being ‘local’ helps us in converting more customers to ‘think powder’,” he says, “and gives them access to expert teams within our R&D labs. The new Rapid Supply Service also meets a specific need for a highly responsive service.”
 
The facility, which originally opened in 2012, includes manufacturing, warehousing, administrative offices and both R&D and quality control laboratories. A number of new jobs will also be created.
The additional line meets the company’s sustainability ambitions, with reduced energy consumption, increased water reuse rate and reduced VOC emissions and producing zero non-reusable waste by 2030. It also meets its commitment to creating a safer and healthier working environment for employees.