Mubbasher Omar (Akzo Nobel): “Unlocking new value“
In Pakistan, Akzo Nobel has recently invested 8 billion Pakistani Rupees, which is approximately EUR 26 million. We spoke to Mubbasher Omar, CEO of Akzo Nobel Pakistan, about the investment and the coatings market in Pakistan. Interview by Vanessa Bauersachs
Why did you choose Pakistan as the location for the new investment?
Mubbasher Omar: Akzo Nobel has been serving paint and coatings customers in Pakistan since 60 years. The investment in the greenfield site reaffirms our confidence in the growth potential of the paint and coatings industry in Pakistan.
The new Faisalabad site unlocks new value for us – fueling our ambitions to diversify with sustainable innovations, enter new segments in the domestic market, while providing new opportunities to cater to customers beyond Pakistan. The new facility, located on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route, especially synergises with the export ambitions of the domestic automobile industry.
Can you please describe the paints and coatings market in Pakistan, what are the main drivers of innovation and challenges for coatings?
Omar: The growth of the coatings industry in Pakistan has been inconsistent since Covid. In contrast, Akzo Nobel Pakistan has been growing much faster than the industry with leadership positions in two-wheeler, three-wheeler and tractor segments.
With the industry rebound expected in the coming years, Akzo Nobel aims to further build on its sustained growth momentum across protective and automotive coatings. Furthermore, increasing regulatory requirements for environmental protection and enhanced safety standards are expected to drive the demand for our high-performance and more sustainable coatings in Pakistan.
Could you please describe the set-up of the integrated agile manufacturing. To what extent can the facility be expanded?
Omar: Akzo Nobel’s new manufacturing plant in the Allama Iqbal Industrial City of Faisalabad (Pakistan) is developed as an integrated paints and coatings facility. Here, Akzo Nobel Pakistan manufactures decorative paints, wood finishes and coatings including automotive and specialty, coil and protective coatings. With agile manufacturing, the plant’s design also accommodates scope for future expansion in production volumes, thereby allowing Akzo Nobel to be more competitive in future.
The plant aims to meet the increasing customer demand across decorative paints and B2B segments such as architecture, automotive vehicle refinishes, electronic components, furniture, domestic appliances, sports equipment, construction, power, infrastructure and coil coatings for steel, while also allowing for entry in new segments such as powder coatings etc.
The interview is part of the Top Industry Move of the May issue of the European Coatings Journal.
