Axalta inaugurates expanded resin production facility in Mexico

Axalta Coating Systems has inaugurated production at its expanded resin manufacturing facility located at its Tlalnepantla site outside Mexico City. The investment to expand infrastructure will enable the company to support its customers with the latest coating technologies that are used in a wide variety of the company’s liquid coatings.

The additional polymer resins that can now be produced in Mexico provide the backbone of Axalta’s traditional solventborne and latest generation waterborne coatings. A key ingredient of all coating layers, resins provide the chemical structure that help make Axalta coatings durable and able to withstand the effects of weather and ultraviolet radiation.

"Today we celebrate Axalta’s continued commitment to Mexico and the story of our company’s growth here that began 64 years ago,” explained Charlie Shaver, Axalta Chairman and CEO. "The opening of this facility, which takes place as Axalta celebrates its 150th anniversary, reflects the extensive operations and technology expertise based in Mexico that we were able to draw on to design and construct a production complex which joins what is already a world-class production facility and one of our largest operations centres in the world. Our investment in this facility will enable us to support our customers with the latest coating technology and reflects our long-term confidence in both the future of Mexico and our expectations for continued growth across the region.”

Mexico is home to some of the world’s leading light and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers that rely on Axalta’s Harmonized Coating Technologies, which include primerless and 3-Wet coatings that can achieve full layer performance without the need 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. Axalta coatings are also used by a large number of body shops that repair vehicles using the company’s global refinish brands available in Mexico including Cromax, Standox and Spies Hecker, local refinish brands such as Imlar and Cromacryl and Imron, Axalta’s leading commercial vehicle coating.

"The science and innovation deployed in the construction and operation of our new production centre reflects the strong technical capabilities of the resources of Axalta in Mexico, while also leveraging our global technical competencies to create such a high-tech facility,” stated Jorge Cossío, President of Axalta’s Latin America region. "We are confident this expansion and technology enhancement will enable us to continue to deliver the high quality products our customers require.”

The new facility integrates the highest standards in engineering and safety, relying on the latest technology to automate virtually every step of the production process and improve operational efficiencies, reduce waste and further reduce the environmental footprint from our operations. The entire Tlalnepantla facility operates under an ‘Industria Limpia’ (‘Clean Industry’) designation in recognition of its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of coatings production. A combination of talent and effort provided by entirely local resources made it possible to conceive and complete the entire project in only 14 months on time and on budget.

"The State of Mexico plays a key role in the economic development of the nation and we highly appreciate that global companies like Axalta have consistently placed their trust in the State to expand its economic and industrial infrastructure,” explained Ms Laura Teresa Gonzalez Hernandez, Undersecretary of Economic Development of the Government of the State of Mexico who attended the event. "The government works in a consistent and committed manner, in partnership with the private sector, to promote progress towards a common goal: to generate more and better jobs as well as foster an environment that is conducive to ease investments which will contribute to a thriving present and a great future for Mexicans.”

Additional guests attending the opening ceremony included: Aurora Denisse Ugalde Alegría, State of Mexico Municipal President; Ana López Mestre, American Chamber of Commerce Vice President and General Director; and Tatjana Heinrich, the Mexican German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Associates Manager.