Akzo Nobel buys Belgian coatings group

Akzo Nobel buys Belgian coatings group
By John Whitehead

Akzo Nobel is to buy Techni-Coat International, a speciality plastic coatings business operating in Belgium, for an undisclosed sum.

The company, which produces “lifestyle-driven” plastic coatings for consumer electronics, cosmetics packaging and sports and leisure goods, turned over about E10m last year.

The acquisition will fit logically into Akzo Nobel’s specialities business, according to director Rudy van Meer, who is responsible for the Dutch group’s coatings business. This unit includes UV, water-based, laser etching and 3D printing systems.

“It presents an opportunity to significantly enhance our worldwide growth in this niche segment and it will considerably strengthen our competences with regard to design, colour and fashion,” he said.

Techni-Coat International’s design and R&D centre, together with all 22 employees, will transfer to Akzo Nobel.