Area Development
Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, opened its Global Innovation Center at the historic Navy Yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The 175,000-foot Global Innovation Center, which the company refers to as “the largest coatings research and development center in the world,” offers specialty labs, as well as office space.

"Axalta's Global Innovation Center will become the central hub for our global research, product development, and technology initiatives where we develop and deliver the most innovative coatings products in the world," said Robert Bryant, Interim CEO, Axalta. "Whether in color technology, polymer and formulation chemistry, or application knowledge, the world-class capabilities and talent at Axalta's Global Innovation Center will fuel new products and deliver the solutions that our customers want to grow their businesses into the future."

"Axalta's team of scientists and technicians at the Global Innovation Center will develop next generation coatings products and keep pace with emerging application needs," said Barry Snyder, Axalta's Chief Technology Officer. "Regulations and customer demands call for newer technologically advanced coatings. The increasing use of light-weight plastic and composite materials in vehicles to save fuel require new coatings formulations. Developing products to suit these and other needs will be the mission of the Global Innovation Center and Axalta's worldwide research and development network."

"The City of Philadelphia is known for the innovative spirit that founded our nation. This spirit still permeates today with countless companies choosing our city to put down roots for growth," said Mayor Jim Kenney. "Five years ago, Axalta showed its commitment to Philadelphia by relocating its global headquarters to Center City. Today, they open the doors to the Global Innovation Center, bringing new, highly-skilled jobs to Philadelphia. I thank Axalta for their contributions to our region and wish the company many prosperous years at the Navy Yard."

According to company officials, the Navy Yard location offers an attractive workplace for new talent, and the Axalta campus was built with researchers in mind, modeling an academic setting with a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces to foster teamwork and creativity.

"There has been a long history of innovation at the Navy Yard, from the design and construction of state-of-the-art battleships and commercial vessels to today's leading companies working on innovations like therapies to treat cancer, electric microgrids, energy efficiency buildings, and now coatings and color technologies that are used on products all around the world," said John Grady, President of PIDC.