Axalta Expands Waterborne paint Coatings Capacity in China

Axalta Expands Waterborne paint Coatings Capacity in China

Axalta breaks ground for construction of new Shanghai eco-friendly facility

Mumbai,  January,  2014  – Axalta Coating Systems, a leading global supplier of paint and powder coatings, broke ground today to expand its manufacturing capacity for coatings with the construction of a new $50 million eco-friendly waterborne facility in the Jiading district of Shanghai.  At a ceremony attended by dignitaries from the region, Axalta Chairman and  CEO Charlie Shaver officially ushered in a new phase in the company’s commitment to the automobile industry in China. 

Expected to begin production in 2015, Axalta’s Shanghai waterborne facility will manufacture and supply up to 25,000 metric tons of its highly acclaimed waterborne products. Axalta’s technological leadership in waterborne paints and expanded capacity for waterborne production will support the long term growth of an automotive industry that is extending into the southern and western areas of the country. Both Axalta products and the manufacturing facility itself will contribute to the overall sustainable development of China’s automotive industry

“We invested in this facility to meet growing customer needs for high-performance  water-based paint coatings solutions. With this new facility, we are expanding our capacity to provide waterborne paints to help China’s auto industry develop sustainably,” Mr. Shaver told the audience at the ground breaking ceremony. “Our technological leadership  focuses on developing environmentally friendly paint coating solutions. Our new facility will also employ the latest generation production systems to reduce the environmental footprint of our operations.”

Axalta’s waterborne production process utilizes a  global waterborne technology system to produce “Lean and Green Automotive Coatings” that  automobile original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can use to significantly reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), energy consumption  and investment.  The “Lean and Green Automotive Coating” process  includes primer-less coatings and 3-wet coatings which can achieve full layer performance  without having to flash and bake  between coats.  The increased productivity results in  a better bottom line for customers while still producing an unparalleled finish on vehicles.  In addition, Axalta’s waterborne products are intrinsically environmentally friendly and meet global environmental requirements, such as the EU’s VOC Regulation 2004/42/EC which Axalta adheres to in China, and which can help reduce the overall environmental footprint of China’s auto industry.