Axalta Coating Systems has officially opened its newly expanded European Technology Centre (ETC) in Wuppertal, Germany.

The centre will be home to the company’s liquid coating research facilities for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Paint production first began on the Wuppertal site some 150 years ago and today over 300 technical professionals will work on creating and developing next generation paints and services to address regional market needs and to meet our customers’ specific requirements.

The ETC will comprise facilities that house the latest coating research equipment. The entire campus encompasses 15,000m 2 of laboratories, formulation and application capabilities, a weathering and corrosion service, pilot-scale and full scale-up facilities, customer demonstration centre, as well as offices.

Dr Barry Snyder, Axalta’s Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, says, “Axalta’s expanded ETC in Wuppertal will include several new labs for light vehicle paint research, new laboratories for industrial electrocoat research, as well as expanded labs for refinish paints and new colour development facilities for both the refinish and commercial vehicle markets. Its central location for Europe, and historical importance to the company as a whole, make it the ideal base for regional liquid paint research and development work.”

Axalta Coating Systems is the company behind the major Cromax, Spies Hecker and Standox paint brands.