Expanded production capacity to help auto industry grow sustainably
SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid
and powder coatings, has opened a latest generation manufacturing
facility in Shanghai to produce waterborne coatings for China’s growing
automobile market. The newest and one of Axalta’s most advanced
waterborne production facilities, the plant reflects the key role that
China plays in Axalta’s global strategy, which is focused on providing
sustainable coating products and application systems for customers while
reducing the environmental impact of the production process. The new
facility is located adjacent to Axalta’s operations center that opened
in the Jiading district of Shanghai in 2008.
Axalta Chairman & CEO Charlie Shaver, Axalta executives and guests cutting the ribbon to open Axalta's new waterborne coating manufacturing facility in the Jiading district of Shanghai, China (Photo: Business Wire)
The new facility features advanced manufacturing technologies and design
concepts such as integrated production systems engineered to reduce the
environmental footprint of coating production. The highly automated
facility can also maximize the use of raw materials and accelerate
manufacturing cycle time. Advanced air filtration systems are designed
to optimize air quality within the facility and to reduce emissions. The
new facility will double Axalta’s capacity in China for the production
of waterborne coatings, further enhancing the company’s market
leadership in serving automotive customers in China, the world’s biggest
automotive market.
“Axalta is proud to be a key waterborne coatings provider to China’s
growing vehicle market,” said Axalta Chairman and CEO Charlie Shaver at
the opening ceremony. “Our expanded facility will provide sustainable
coating options for our customers. The new manufacturing center reflects
the skill and dedication of our employees who were able to complete the
entire construction project in only 10 months.”
The waterborne coating products produced at the Jiading location are
designed to meet global environmental requirements, such as the EU’s VOC
Regulation 2004/42/EC, which can help reduce the overall environmental
footprint of China’s auto industry.
Commenting on the new waterborne plant, Sun Lianying, Chairman of the
China National Coating Industry Association, said, “This is a solid
demonstration of Axalta’s long-term commitment to the China market and
its eco-responsible production process which will have a positive impact
on the sustainable development of China’s coating industries. The
development is fully aligned with the Chinese government’s goal of
developing a sustainable auto industry, using green solutions to meet
rising market demand across the country.”
One of the highlights of the plant opening included a sustainability
exhibition showcasing how Axalta manufacturing systems, products,
applications, and research and development practices each contribute to
a sustainable business model. The exhibition also illustrated how the
Jiading waterborne plant can help reduce customers’ environmental
footprint by reducing volatile organic compounds and energy consumption
from their operations.
“To be effective, sustainability must be about productivity and
profitability as much as it is about the effects on the environment and
society,” said Shaver. “In this way, increasingly sustainable products
and applications help to drive business growth as well as make Axalta a
better partner for our customers.”
The new plant represents a significant expansion of Axalta’s presence in
China. It joins two other dedicated liquid coating manufacturing
operations in the country, an Asia Pacific R&D laboratory and color
development center, four training facilities for refinish customers and
six powder coating manufacturing locations. Axalta’s multiple resources
in China work together to support the sustained, long-term growth of
China’s automotive and other industries that use Axalta coatings.
About Axalta Coating Systems
Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and
providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable
solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish
applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings
are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the
materials we coat to last longer. With more than 145 years of experience
in the coatings industry, the 12,000 people of Axalta continue to find
ways to serve our more than 120,000 customers in 130 countries better
every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology.
For more information visit axaltacoatingsystems.com
and follow us @axalta on Twitter.
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Source: Axalta Coating Systems