Politics · Singapore Bureau
AkzoNobel sells Southeast Asia paints unit to Nippon Paint for $1.35bn
Dutch paint manufacturer AkzoNobel has agreed to divest its paints business across Southeast Asia to Japan's Nippon Paint in a deal valued at US$1.35 billion. The transaction is expected to generate net cash proceeds of approximately US$1 billion for AkzoNobel.
LSN Singapore ·

AkzoNobel, one of the world's leading paint and coatings companies, has reached a definitive agreement to sell its Southeast Asian paints operations to Nippon Paint, a major regional competitor. The transaction values the business at US$1.35 billion, with AkzoNobel expecting to receive net cash proceeds of around US$1 billion after accounting for transaction costs and other adjustments.
The sale encompasses AkzoNobel's decorative paints operations across Southeast Asia, a region with significant growth potential in the coatings sector. Nippon Paint, which has established operations throughout Asia-Pacific, views the acquisition as a strategic move to strengthen its market position in one of the world's fastest-growing regions.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. AkzoNobel has stated the deal aligns with its strategic objectives to focus on higher-margin specialty chemicals and performance coatings segments while optimizing its portfolio across key markets.
The divestiture reflects broader trends in the global paints industry, where major manufacturers continue to consolidate operations and reallocate capital toward premium product categories and emerging market opportunities. The completion of the transaction is anticipated within the coming months, pending regulatory clearances from relevant authorities in the region.