“We’re excited to announce the new name for our combined company,” said AkzoNobel CEO Greg Poux-Guillaume, who will also serve as CEO of the new organization. “Axanzo signals a bold new start for a company which will be stronger in every way. It’s a launchpad for going further and faster than we ever could alone, embodying the pace and power to innovate, the strength to deliver and the excellence to succeed.”

Chris Villavarayan, CEO of Axalta, who will become Deputy CEO of the combined company, said the new name reflects the organizations' shared ambitions.

“Axanzo will continuously reset the standard of what coatings can do. The new name perfectly captures our shared ambition to push boundaries, honoring our heritage and offering an exciting glimpse of what’s to come.”

According to the companies, the new name includes a subtle but intentional reference to the heritage of both organizations, bringing together their legacies as they prepare for the next phase of the combined business.

Axanzo will bring together a diversified and balanced portfolio of approximately 100 established brands across paints and coatings, with operations spanning more than 160 countries.

“Axanzo will focus on delivering uncompromising performance to sharpen our competitive edge, while establishing a profitable and sustainable path forward as a world leader in coatings,” Poux-Guillaume added. “By forging our expertise, the best of each of us will become the standard for all of us.”

Merger Timeline and Customer Operations

AkzoNobel and Axalta will continue operating as independent companies until the transaction closes, which is expected in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

The companies emphasized that the announcement of the new name does not change how customers and partners currently work with either organization. Customers will continue to be served by their existing teams and through their established brands and relationships.

The merger will combine AkzoNobel's portfolio, which includes Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon, with Axalta's coatings businesses serving light vehicles, commercial vehicles, automotive refinish and industrial applications.

The companies originally announced their proposed all-stock merger of equals in November 2025.

Related Coverage: AkzoNobel and Axalta Merger Coverage

The announcement marks another step toward combining two major global coatings manufacturers. The proposed merger will bring together extensive capabilities across industrial coatings, automotive OEM, refinish and other markets, with implications for the industry's competitive structure, technology development and global supply networks.