International Paint LLC, an Akzo Nobel company, has launched the first phase of expansion of its worldwide research and development team based in Newcastle, U.K., to the company’s U.S. operations in Houston.

HOUSTON - International Paint LLC, an Akzo Nobel company, has launched the first phase of expansion of its worldwide research and development team based in Newcastle, U.K., to the company’s U.S. operations in Houston.

The new global laboratory will focus on the development of performance-based coating technologies that provide better environmental compliance, long-term durability, productivity and life-cycle economics in the global markets they serve.

The new laboratory will be shared with the current U.S. development team located in International Paint’s corporate and manufacturing facility in Houston. Approximately $1 million will be invested over the next 12 months to upgrade and modernize the 12,000-square-foot facility with state-of-the-art testing equipment.