Axalta Coating Systems recently broke
ground to expand its manufacturing capacity for coatings with the construction of a
new $50 million eco-friendly waterborne
facility in the Jiading district of Shanghai.
Expected to begin production in
2015, Axalta’s Shanghai waterborne facility will manufacture and supply up
to 25,000 metric tons of its waterborne
products. Axalta’s technological leadership in waterborne paints and expanded
capacity for waterborne production will
support the long term growth of an automotive industry that is extending into the
southern and western areas of the country. Both Axalta products and the manufacturing facility itself will contribute to
the overall sustainable development of
China’s automotive industry.
“We invested in this facility to meet
growing customer needs for high-perfor-
mance water-based coatings solutions.
With this new facility, we are expand-
ing our capacity to provide waterborne
paints to help China’s auto industry de-
velop sustainably,” Charles Shaver chair-
man and CEO, Axalta told the audience
at the ground breaking ceremony. “Our
technological leadership focuses on de-
veloping environmentally friendly coat-
ing solutions. Our new facility will also
employ the latest generation production
systems to reduce the environmental foot-
print of our operations.”
Axalta’s waterborne production pro-
cess utilizes a global waterborne technol-
ogy system to produce “Lean and Green
Automotive Coatings” that automo-
bile original equipment manufacturers
(OEMs) can use to significantly reduce
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), en-
ergy consumption and investment. The
“Lean and Green Automotive Coating”
process includes primer-less coatings and
3-wet coatings which can achieve full lay-
er performance without having to flash
and bake between coats. The increased
productivity results in a better bottom
line for customers while still producing
an unparalleled finish on vehicles. In ad-
dition, Axalta’s waterborne products are
intrinsically environmentally responsible
and meet global environmental require-
ments, such as the EU’s VOC Regulation
2004/42/EC which Axalta adheres to
in China, and which can help reduce
the overall environmental footprint of
China’s auto industry.
“We appreciate Axalta’s forward
thinking approach to product develop-
ment,” explained Sun Lianying, chairman
of the China National Coating Industry
Association. “Axalta’s eco-friendly pro-
duction process is aligned with China’s
direction to develop in a sustainable path
and we look forward to witnessing the
construction of the Axalta Shanghai wa-
terborne facility.”
Over the past two years, the Chinese
government has issued a series of regu-
lations to decrease the environmental
burden of the auto industry, including
the requirement for all new automotive
manufacturer production lines to use eco-
friendly waterborne coating products.
This foresight for the future will have a
tremendous impact on the sustainable de-
velopment of China’s auto. industry.
“We are very pleased to see that Axalta
has continuously invested in expanding
its production of technologically superior products tailored specifically to our
local demands,” said Wang Zhongcheng,
vice president of FAW-VW Chengdu.
“As one of China’s leading automobile
manufacturers, FAW-VW is moving to a
sustainable model for development and
the waterborne products produced at this
facility will help us achieve our business
objectives in the region.”
Valspar Paint Unveils 2014
Color Outlook
Valspar Paint recently revealed its 2014
Color Outlook and trend palettes. In
2014, Valspar predicts the theme of “re-
defining the home” will grow in impor-
tance in the coming year and has curated
three distinct color palettes that embrace
this forecasted trend. Each color pal-
ette – Zenergy, Time Traveler and Yours
Truly – is inspired by the newest under-
lying influences and movements that are
expressed in fashion, food, art, interior
design and lifestyle.
“In 2014, consumers will be redefin-
ing what matters and will feel a grow-
ing awareness of what’s important,” said
Sue Kim, Valspar color strategist. “The
Valspar 2014 Color Outlook draws on
this trend, with color palettes that are
inspired by how people are purposefully
incorporating these redefined experiences
into their daily lives.”
Zenergy, Time Traveler and Yours
Truly are color palettes that serve to re-
store spirits with a return to simplicity, re-
connect us to cultures and customs gone
by, and reinvent style with expressions
of creativity. Colors in the palettes range
from serene cool hues to grounded earthy
tones to bold traditional colors, offering
a wide variety of color choices to refresh
any room in the home.
“There is cohesion to the story of each
of the trend palettes, but the strong ver-
satility and range of the individual colors
encourages experimentation and self-ex-
pression in the home as we seek to rede-
fine in the year ahead,” continued Kim.
“With options that complement every
personal taste and décor style, the Valspar
2014 Color Outlook gives consumers the
confidence they need during the color se-
lection process to choose a color they will
love and create a beautiful space.”
This marks the fifth annual Valspar
Color Outlook, which each year exam-
ines new prevailing directions and inspi-
rations that are beginning to be expressed
in functional art forms and lifestyle.
Valspar research looks at broad global
issues, consumer behaviors and the econ-
omy and analyzes how these influences
filter down to interior colors, materials
and finishes. The Valspar Color Outlook
and trend palettes serve to capture the
Axalta Expands Waterborne
Coatings Capacity in China
