Both sites will focus on the manufacture of wood, coil and specialty plastic coatings. In China, Akzo Nobel's wood coatings are used in the furniture industry, its coil coatings in roofing and siding for the construction industry, and its specialty plastics for the consumer electronics industry.

"With the opening of these two sites, we are further demonstrating our ongoing commitment to establishing a significant presence in China for all our key businesses," says Rudy van der Meer, member of Akzo Nobel's board of management responsible for coatings. "As the world's biggest coatings company, we are making sustained efforts to expand in growth areas, and China remains a key market within our global strategy."

Akzo Nobel Coatings now operates eight production sites in China, housing all the key businesses, and has two new powder coatings sites under construction. One major operation is a 50-50 joint venture; the others are majority or wholly owned.