AkzoNobel is committing €50 million to upgrade its Waukegan, Illinois facility—its largest aerospace coatings production site in the US.

 

The two-phase project will not only expand capacity and introduce new machinery and automation, but also create a new warehouse across the state border in Wisconsin.

 

“This investment will increase our comprehensive North American supply capability and solidify our position as a frontrunner in the aerospace coatings industry,” said Patrick Bourguignon, Director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Specialty Coatings business. 

 

“Demand for air travel is expected to grow significantly over the next few years and we want to make sure our customers are able to meet that demand with aircraft of the highest quality.”

 

The Waukegan site spans 11 acres and employs roughly 200 people. It produces a wide range of aerospace coatings, including primers, basecoats, clearcoats, and pre-treatment coatings, and houses its own color center.

 

Ongoing improvements will include a liquid pre-batch area, high-speed dissolvers, and a rapid service unit to speed up coating delivery for the maintenance, repair, and operations market.

 

Relocating warehousing to Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, will free up space in Waukegan, allowing the company to produce more customized coatings and respond faster to customer needs.

 

“Our customers demand – and deserve – top-of-the-line coatings,” said Martijn Arkesteijn, Global Operations Director, AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings. “We’ll be able to provide current and future customers with even more flexibility through the delivery of large batch sizes, better responsiveness to market needs and shorter lead time for color development.”

 

The investment is part of AkzoNobel’s Industrial Excellence program, which targets improved operations, reduced complexity, and optimized industrial networks to lower costs and drive sustainable growth.