ARNHEM, The Netherlands -- Akzo Nobel announced plans to build an international R&D center in Pontiac, MI, for the company’s Car Refinishes business, and said the site will play a “major role in the development of new products for the global and regional refinishes markets.”

In addition, Akzo Nobel said it will also build a new high-tech dispersion facility to produce its Sikkens Autobase Plus auto-refinish paint for the North American market. The dispersion facility will produce highly concentrated intermediate products that will be processed into finished paints at other locations close to local markets. The company said the two projects will represent a total investment of approximately $30 million.

The new facilities will result from the redevelopment of Akzo Nobel’s existing Pontiac site, where the company will replace old manufacturing units. R&D activities currently located in nearby Troy, MI, will be relocated to the new facilities in Pontiac. Construction will start later this year.