KUALA LUMPUR – AkzoNobel has opened a new research and development centre in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, strengthening its regional innovation capabilities and underlining a long-term commitment to sustainability and growth in Southeast Asia.
Focusing on advanced decorative paint technologies, the facility will serve as a regional hub for eco-friendly solutions, bringing R&D operations closer to key markets to speed up locally relevant product development.
“This new centre marks a significant step in our journey to transform the way we innovate in Southeast Asia,” said My Lan Nguyen, business unit director for decorative paints, Asean, in a press statement today.
“It enables us to tap into local talent and insights, while connecting seamlessly with our global R&D network to deliver smarter, more sustainable solutions across the region.”
The Nilai facility joins AkzoNobel’s network of specialised centres in Poland, Dubai, the UK, and the Netherlands, and will link with around 70 R&D laboratories worldwide.
It will house 35 research professionals and is equipped with cutting-edge analytical tools, including a fully automated robotic testing system to enable high-throughput experimentation and data-driven formulation.
Gary Jefferson, R&D director for decorative paints, South East & South Asia, said the co-location of business and R&D teams in Malaysia would help accelerate innovation cycles and sharpen the company’s ability to respond to local market needs.
“It sharpens our ability to turn consumer insights into real, sustainable innovations—faster and more effectively than ever before,” he said.
Built with sustainability in mind, the new centre features energy-efficient systems and environmentally responsible materials, aligning with AkzoNobel’s broader commitment to responsible innovation.
InvestKL CEO Datuk Muhammad Azmi Zulkifli welcomed the opening, saying it further solidified Malaysia’s role as a regional innovation hub.
“This investment reflects our shared commitment to advancing eco-friendly technologies while capitalising on Malaysia’s highly skilled talent, world-class infrastructure, and pro-business environment,” he said.
“InvestKL is proud to support strategic, innovation-led initiatives such as this, which not only drive industry growth but also deliver meaningful impact to the economy in Greater KL and beyond.” — June 11, 2025