SASSENHEIM, The Netherlands — Akzo Nobel Aerospace Coatings recently began construction of a $2.7 million manufacturing facility for small batch production and color-blending operations for coatings products.

The Aerospace Colour Centre, located at Akzo Nobel’s existing manufacturing plant in Sassenheim, will produce custom color aerospace topcoats, the company said. The facility will include automatic dispensing and color-computer technology and climate-controlled spray booths, drying and color-testing areas. Production is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of this year, and the facility will supply a full range of aerospace topcoat products, the company said.

Kevin Fleetwood, general manager of Akzo Nobel Aerospace Coatings, said the new facility represents “an investment in the European aerospace industry. We are committed to being the number-one supplier to the OEM and maintenance markets alike.” The aerospace-coatings business, based in Waukegan, IL, also operates manufacturing facilities in Waukegan and Treviso, Italy.