AkzoNobel Will Close Nashville Manufacturing Plant
The company plans to shutter its powder coatings facility by the end of 2026, resulting in the loss of 75 local jobs.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Manufacturing
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AkzoNobel announced it will close its powder coatings manufacturing plant in Nashville by the end of 2026. This operational change will result in the elimination of 75 local jobs as the company shifts production to other facilities.
Why it matters
The closure is part of the company's 2023 Industrial Excellence program, which seeks to optimize operations and reduce complexity across its global network. AkzoNobel stated that it does not expect the consolidation to interrupt supply for its North American customers.
The company will eliminate 75 jobs at the Nashville plant, though 117 employees will remain at the regional headquarters. Tennessee recently saw a 2.6% decline in chemical manufacturing jobs over the past year.
The players
AkzoNobel
This is a Dutch multinational company that specializes in paints and performance coatings for both industry and consumers worldwide.
The details
Production volumes currently handled in Nashville will be transferred to AkzoNobel manufacturing sites in Reading, Pennsylvania; Warsaw, Indiana; and Monterrey, Mexico. This decision follows a 2022 incident at the site involving an explosion caused by a mistaken delivery of organic peroxide.
Timeline
An explosion occurred at the Nashville plant in 2022.
Data showed a 2.6% slip in chemical manufacturing jobs as of August 2026.
AkzoNobel announced the plant closure on October 12, 2026.
The Nashville plant is scheduled to close by the end of 2026.
Market Landscape
The Nashville plant closure aligns with the directives set by AkzoNobel's 2023 Industrial Excellence program to optimize global operations. This move reflects a broader trend of industrial consolidation aimed at reducing operational complexity to maintain market competitiveness.
Local residents facing job loss will see direct impacts to their employment status as the plant winds down operations through 2026. Customers of the company are not expected to face supply disruptions or changes to product availability.
The takeaway
Companies often consolidate production facilities to improve logistical efficiency and reduce operational overhead. Affected workers should monitor regional job resources as the Nashville site prepares for its final closure at the end of 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the local industrial sector in our Nashville Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKRN News 2.
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