Akzo Nobel

Company Description

AkzoNobel is the world's third-largest paint and coatings manufacturer, producing everything from the Dulux paint used on household walls to specialized coatings that protect ships, aircraft, and oil rigs from corrosion. The company's products can be found on cars, buildings, consumer electronics, and industrial equipment across the globe. The company operates through two main divisions: Decorative Paints, which sells to consumers and professionals for building and renovation projects, and Performance Coatings, which provides protective and functional coatings for ships, cars, aircraft, and industrial applications. Well-known brands include Dulux (the company's flagship decorative paint brand), Sikkens (premium automotive and wood finishes), Interpon (powder coatings), and International (marine coatings). AkzoNobel was formed in 1994 through the merger of Dutch company Akzo and Swedish firm Nobel Industries, though its heritage stretches back centuries. A major milestone came in 2008 when AkzoNobel acquired British chemical giant Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) for $15.8 billion, adding the iconic Dulux brand to its portfolio. The company is headquartered in Amsterdam and was the first paints and coatings company to have its carbon reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. With approximately 34,600 employees and over 200 manufacturing facilities in more than 150 countries, AkzoNobel generated €10.7 billion in revenue in 2024. In a transformative move, the company announced in November 2025 a merger with American coatings company Axalta, which will create a combined entity valued at $25 billion with annual revenues of approximately $17 billion.