Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, held an unveiling ceremony of its Shanghai-based sole proprietorship powder coatings company and subsequent press conference announcing a new growth strategy for its China powder coatings business on May 28.

Victor Wang, Axalta Greater China Operations and Supply Chain Vice President (left) and Willie Wu, Axalta Greater China President, unveil the Axalta Powder Coatings (Shanghai) Co.[Photo provided by Axalta]

With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, Axalta’s flagship brands, Alesta, Abcite and NapGard are well known in China in a variety of end-user applications such as transportation, architecture, oil and gas pipelines, rebar, and appliances. Many landmark constructions like Shanghai Tangqiao Complex, Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center and Wuxi Wanda Mall have adopted the coating products of Axalta.

The new strategy positions the company to more effectively unlock value in the high-end Chinese powder coatings market over the next three years. Through introducing new product lines and service models, the new business plan is expected to meet the upgrading needs of the Chinese market.

Willie Wu, President of Axalta Greater China gives an opening speech.[Photo provided by Axalta]

According to Willie Wu, President of Axalta Greater China, China's powder coating market has undergone tremendous changes in the last 20 years with the most significant being the increasing demand for high-end powder coatings.“Axalta has a stable customer base and has established itself as one of the leading companies in this market. We’re committed to bringing global technology and services to China’s customers to meet their growing demand for high quality powder coating solutions using sustainable business practices,” said Wu.

New Chinese names for the above-mentioned leading global brands were released on the same day, reaffirming Axalta’s commitment in China.

Starting its journey in China in 1984, Axalta has a liquid coating and a powder coating plant respectively in Jiading and Qingpu districts of Shanghai. Its R&D center in Minhang district, namely its Asia pacific R&D center, is one of its four global largest R&D centers.

By leveraging global R&D processes technology, application experience and technical service resources, Axalta will enhance the local powder coatings R&D capacity.