SICHUAN PROVINCE, CHINA – AkzoNoble broke ground on a new 55,000 square meter plant in China this week, its fourth decorative paints site in that country that is part of a  €50 million investment program.

The new plant will employ about 100 people and will manufacture AkzoNobel’s Decorative Paint offerings and market them in China. The first phase is scheduled to be opened in 2016, with full operations expected by 2017.

AkzoNobel employs more than 7,400 people in China, including 500 in research and development. Within Sichuan province, the company operates a regional office, powder coatings production site and a car refinishes training center. A new powder coatings production site is under construction.

In addition to building the new plant, the company is donating RMB (Yuan) 1.5 million to fund 10 "Adream Centers" in Qionglai, to improved the quality of education for children. The program is part of AkzoNobel’s Human Cities initiative, which was launched in June.