AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings will open a Dubai blending facility by Q2 2026 to enhance regional support and reduce lead times.
AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings, a global provider of advanced coating solutions for the aviation industry, has announced plans to significantly strengthen its regional presence in the Middle East through the launch of a new color blending and distribution facility in Dubai. This strategic expansion is designed to enhance localized service capabilities and better support the growing needs of commercial aviation operators, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) providers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and other aerospace partners operating across the region.
The upcoming Dubai facility will function as a central hub for the Middle East and is scheduled to become fully operational in the second quarter of 2026. Its location has been carefully selected to improve responsiveness, shorten delivery timelines, and ensure greater flexibility in meeting customer-specific coating requirements. By blending and stocking products locally, AkzoNobel aims to provide faster access to high-quality aerospace coatings while minimizing reliance on long-distance supply chains.
From this new site, AkzoNobel will offer localized blending of its widely used aerospace coating systems, including Aerobase, Aerodur 3001, and Eclipse color ranges. In addition to color blending, the facility will maintain inventory of essential products such as primers, topcoats, and thinners, allowing customers to source complete coating solutions from a single regional location. This approach is expected to streamline procurement processes and reduce aircraft downtime, a critical factor for airlines and MROs managing tight operational schedules.
The color blending operations at the Dubai facility will be supported by advanced automation and precision control technologies. These systems are designed to deliver consistent, repeatable, and highly accurate color results that align with AkzoNobel’s stringent global quality standards. By applying the same methodologies and controls used across its international network, AkzoNobel ensures customers in the Middle East receive coatings that meet identical performance and aesthetic specifications as those supplied in other major aviation markets.
According to Xavier Rijmenans, EMEA Sales Director for AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings, the new facility reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the Middle East aerospace sector. He emphasized that AkzoNobel has established strong relationships with regional partners who depend on its trusted coating technologies. By expanding local blending and distribution capabilities, the company is not only reducing lead times but also reinforcing its ability to support customers as they scale operations and respond to rising aviation demand across the region.
Rijmenans also noted that this operating model has already been successfully implemented in Asia, Europe, and North America. Drawing on that proven experience, AkzoNobel expects customers in the Middle East to benefit from improved access to locally blended, high-performance coatings that support operational efficiency and planning reliability.
To learn more about the Dubai aerospace coatings facility and its benefits, industry professionals are invited to visit the AkzoNobel team at Booth 1620 during MRO Middle East 2026. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss how local color blending and stock availability can help reduce turnaround times, improve workflow efficiency, and support long-term growth strategies for airlines and MRO organizations throughout the region.
