In a landmark move, Akzo-Nobel Pakistan Ltd, a prominent global manufacturer of paints and coatings, officially inaugurated its cutting-edge manufacturing facility in the Allama Iqbal Industrial City of Faisalabad, Pakistan on Monday. This new plant, spanning 25 acres and representing a substantial investment of Rs 8 billion (approximately USD 28 million/€26 million), stands as AkzoNobel’s largest investment in Pakistan to date.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by distinguished guests Henny de Vries (Honorable Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Pakistan) and Nadeem Babar (Chairman, Shams Power), marked a significant moment for AkzoNobel. Key officials from AkzoNobel, including Fred Moreux (Director – Manufacturing and Supply Chain, South Asia Pacific), Ms. Marieke Bleyenbergh (Global Director – Health Safety Environment and Security), and Mubbasher Omar (Chief Executive Officer, AkzoNobel Pakistan Limited), were also present.
Mubbasher Omar, CEO of AkzoNobel Pakistan Limited, highlighted the company’s commitment to Pakistan’s market and the significance of the new plant. “Building on AkzoNobel’s 60-year legacy of delighting paint and coatings customers in Pakistan with world-class solutions, the investment in the green field site reaffirms our commitment to invest and grow in Pakistan, with Pakistan. It is also a reflection of our confidence in AkzoNobel’s strong market position today, as well as our vision for tomorrow – to be at the forefront of the growing paint and coatings industry.”
Describing the Faisalabad plant as a “New Moon” for AkzoNobel, Mubbasher expressed, “Leveraging our global R&D capabilities and expertise, the Faisalabad plant unlocks new value for AkzoNobel. It fuels our ambitions to diversify with sustainable innovations and enter new segments in the domestic market, while providing new opportunities to delight customers beyond Pakistan.”
The integrated facility caters to the manufacturing of paint, wood finishes, and coatings, including automotive and specialty, coil, and protective coatings. The plant aims to meet the rising customer demand across decorative paints and B2B segments such as architecture, automotive vehicle refinishes, electronic components, furniture, domestic appliances, sports equipment, construction, power, steel, and infrastructure.
Fred Moreux, Director of Manufacturing and Supply Chain, South Asia Pacific at AkzoNobel, highlighted the plant’s agility in manufacturing and its potential for future expansion. He stated, “With agile manufacturing, the new manufacturing plant is designed to accommodate future expansion in production volumes, thereby allowing AkzoNobel to be more competitive in the market.”
In an innovative approach towards sustainability, the Faisalabad site hosts a forest covering an area of 5,450 square feet. This unique feature, a first for AkzoNobel globally, involves the plantation of over 1,400 native trees and shrubs using the Miyawaki gardening technique of Japan. It is anticipated to evolve into a self-sustaining ecosystem over the next two years.
The facility prioritizes safety for its nearly 200 personnel and implements environmentally responsible practices, including renewable energy generation through solar panels and an energy-efficient design. AkzoNobel’s investment in Faisalabad signals not just a business venture but a commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and growth in the region.
