Member Article

Work now underway on £11m AkzoNobel facility in Gateshead

An £11m project to create new research and development facilities at AkzoNobel’s Gateshead plant are officially underway, a development which the global coatings firm believes will boost the region’s reputation as a leading player in the industry worldwide.

The new facilities will reportedly bring together scientists and technical experts working on product development and testing of coatings used to protect essential infrastructure used all over the world in the energy, mining, oil & gas and water industries.

Mauricio Bannwart, Managing Director for AkzoNobel’s Protective Coatings business, which has its global headquarters in Felling, said: “It’s wonderful to see work starting on the new development here on our site. It is a sign of AkzoNobel’s commitment to Felling, and the UK, and a mark of confidence in our workforce.

“This is a big project and will have a huge impact on the work we do. By providing new world-class facilities, and bringing people together in one research and development campus, we will revolutionise the way we work together and enable our experts to unlock new product innovations and testing methods.”

Paint manufacturing has been taking place in Felling for over 100 years, when successful anticorrosive and antifouling coatings were developed for the shipping industry. The current AkzoNobel site has grown significantly over time and now covers 46 acres and employs over 900 people.

The latest construction work will involve creation of a new laboratory including a product application facility, customer training area and a performance testing laboratory. A number of existing buildings will also be refurbished and a new storage warehouse constructed.

Mauricio added: “Coatings which were developed or manufactured in Felling feature on many iconic buildings - including the Sage Gateshead and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. But our products are widely used in many different industries – protecting many different buildings and structures from the effects of fire, corrosion and abrasion.

“As the industries change, so do the requirements of our coatings and this investment will allow us to work with our customers to develop and test our products in conditions equivalent to the most world’s most extreme environments – such as high heat, cryogenic, high pressure and exposure to chemicals.”

Building work on the new facilities is being carried out by Robertson North East. Garry Hope, Regional Managing Director, said: “We were delighted to be appointed to this landmark project for AkzoNobel, literally a stone’s throw from our regional office in Gateshead.

“It’s a real pleasure for all our team to be involved in the construction of a facility that is going to have such a positive impact on not only the business and the industries it serves, but the local community too.”