AkzoNobel Opens R&D Center in UK
AkzoNobel has opened a new £10 million global research and development center at its Slough site in the UK. The Amsterdam-based paints and coatings giant said the new facility employing 20 specialists will act as a major hub within its R&D network and help to further advance its innovation capabilities, especially for decorative paints.
The new UK hub, the latest in a series of specialized centers the Dutch group has established, is located close to the company’s Dulux Academy, a purpose-built training facility that provides painters and decorators with expertise to help improve product, application and technical knowledge.
Other specialized AkzoNobel centers include an automotive facility in Poland, an Application Training Center in Dubai, an Innovation Campus in Felling, UK, and a global innovation, development and training center in Qatar for the Marine Coatings business.
Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist
Pictured (left to right) at the official opening of AkzoNobel’s new R&D center in Slough are: Ambassador Karel van Oosterom, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Thierry Vanlancker, CEO of AkzoNobel; Lord Grimstone, UK Minister for Investment; Fiona McLachlan, Technical Director Color, AkzoNobel; Roger Jakeman, Director – Technical and Product Management, AkzoNobel.
