Akzo Nobel has announced plans to close its manufacturing facilities in Wapenveld, the Netherlands, and Machelen, Belgium. The announcement follows previous restructuring measures, including last year’s decisions concerning three sites in Europe and Africa, and more recently, the proposed downsizing of the site in Montataire, France. Akzo Nobel’s strategy focuses on strengthening its network by concentrating capital and innovation on selected anchor sites. Focus on scale and sustainable growthBy investing in sites with greater production capacity and improved operational performance, Akzo Nobel expects to increase cost efficiency and drive sustainable growth. All relevant stakeholders, including local employee representatives, have been informed about the intended closures and the upcoming consultation processes.