AkzoNobel’s presence in Barcelona serves as a major strategic pillar for its European operations, acting as the headquarters for the company in Spain and hosting two specialized international hubs.

1. EMEA Planning Hub (Zona Franca)

In late 2021, AkzoNobel inaugurated its EMEA Planning Hub in Barcelona, centralizing the management of its supply chain for the entire region.

• Mission: It centralizes the planning and management of more than 30 paint production plants and 125 warehouses across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
• Specialization: The hub is primarily staffed by engineers and supply planning experts who utilize data analytics and advanced software to optimize industrial performance.
• Location: It is integrated into the company’s existing headquarters in the Zona Franca industrial district.

2. R&D and Manufacturing Center

The Barcelona site is also a critical Center of Excellence for product development and production.

• Production: The Zona Franca facility specializes in decorative paints, industrial coatings, and automotive paints.
• Innovation: It houses advanced R&D laboratories that focus on product development for the strategic automotive sector in Catalonia.