AkzoNobel opens coatings plant in Gwalior

AkzoNobel has strengthened its manufacturing footprint in India by opening a new Euro 20 million decorative paints plant in Gwalior, which will have an annual capacity of 55 million litres. The eco-efficient greenfield facility, AkzoNobel’s sixth factory in India, will supply a range of decorative paints and create improved distribution channels for the popular Dulux brand. The new site will also help speed up transportation times and reduce the cost of logistics.
 
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Ton Buchner, CEO, AkzoNobel, said, “India plays an extremely important role in our growth strategy and the new Gwalior site underlines our commitment to creating a leading coatings powerhouse in India. As a global leader in sustainability, I am also pleased that the plant has focused so heavily on energy, water and resource conservation, which will be vital in helping us to create more value from fewer resources.”
 
Amit Jain, Managing Director, AkzoNobel India, added, “The Gwalior plant will provide cost-effective access to key markets in the northern and central areas of India. This will greatly reinforce our strategy of expanding Dulux distribution, as well as improving customer service in these high growth regions.”
 
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The factory has been built on 9,000 m2 of land, while sufficient infrastructure is in place to support future expansion plans. Provision has also been made to accommodate key suppliers, allowing for a smoother manufacturing process. Special sustainability features include rainwater harvesting and energy efficient pumping systems, while 20 percent of the roofing area allows natural daylight to flood in, reducing the need for artificial lighting.