Man standing at table

Our history

Find out how we’ve been changing the world since 1646 and how Alfred Nobel became one of our founding fathers.
Old paint factory

1792: Sikkens business started

In the late 18th century, Wiert Willem Sikkens opened a small paint and varnish works in a gatehouse in the city wall of Groningen, the Netherlands.

1904: International enjoys early success

The Holzapfel brothers built a new factory in Felling, UK, to produce their increasingly successful International marine antifouling paint (see also 1994).

AkzoNobel dog

1953: Dulux leads DIY revolution

Dulux was launched onto the retail market and ten years later an Old English sheepdog was used in the brand’s adverts for the first time (see also 2008).

Alfred Nobel portret

1994: Akzo joins forces with Nobel

Nobel Industries was acquired by Akzo to create Akzo Nobel. Four years later, we also acquired Courtaulds in the UK (the deal included the International brand).

Organon divested

2007: Organon divested

We sold our human healthcare business, Organon, to Schering-Plough.

2008: Acquisition of ICI

We acquired ICI in the UK (a deal which included the Dulux brand), launched a new brand identity and became AkzoNobel.

Pipes in industry hall

2018: Sale of Specialty Chemicals

We sold our Specialty Chemicals business to become a focused paints and coatings company and made a series of bolt-on acquisitions.

2019-2020: Acquisitions continue

We continued to make acquisitions, including Mapaero in France, Titan Paints in Spain, New Nautical Coatings in the US and Stahl’s powder coatings activities.

2021-2023: Global coverage expands

Completed deals to acquire Grupo Orbis in Latin America and the Huarun decorative paints business in China.

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