Axalta Coating Systems Will Begin Third Year of a
$32 Million Investment Program in Brazil
2014 Construction Will Increase Waterborne Production
Capacity
Mumbai, February , 2014 – Axalta Coating Systems, a leading global supplier
of liquid and powder coatings, will begin the next leg of construction to
significantly expand its waterborne production capacity at the company’s
operations in Garulhous, Brazil. The 2014 construction represents the third year
of a $32 million investment program. The additional facility will more than
double capacity to over 4.5 million litres (1.2 million gallons) which will
meet the demands of automotive equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in South America
where increases in the car parc are forecast to continue. The additional
production is expected to come on line in 2015.
The
Guarulhos plant is Axalta’s largest manufacturing facility in Latin America. The
plant supplies customers in Brazil, where Axalta is already the largest single
automotive coatings supplier to OEMs, as well as Argentina, Venezuela and
Colombia. The new facility will produce waterborne coatings and complement the
on-going manufacture of quality products for customers in Refinish and
Industrial segments that will continue to be produced at the Garulhous
location.
“The
region is one of the most rapidly growing markets for car production with
Brazil in the vanguard,” explained Charlie Shaver, Axalta Chairman and CEO.” We
are commited to keep pace with the increasing demand for automotive paint and
serve the needs of our customers who increasingly want the option to convert to
waterborne technology.”
Axalta
is a leading player in the development of waterborne technology for both OEM
and refinish customers. The
company’s waterborne production process utilizes a waterborne technology system to produce “Lean and Green
Automotive Coatings”
that 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 responsible and meet global environmental requirements, such as
the EU’s VOC Regulation 2004/42/EC, to which Axalta adheres in Brazil and which
can help reduce the overall environmental footprint of the auto industry.
“Our
commitment to invest in Brazil reflects not only our commitment to our
customers but also our confidence in the Brazilian economy,” added Jorge
Cossio, Vice President of Axalta in Latin America. “The tremendous growth of
Brazil’s consumer market benefits everyone and we are excited to be able to
contribute to the national success story.”
The
Brazil investment follows a ceremony earlier in January in Shanghai, China
where Axalta broke ground to begin construction of a new waterborne
manufacturing that will supply OEMs that are expanding production in the
southern and western regions of the country.
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