AkzoNobel Powder Coatings has expanded its facilities at the manufacturing plant in Izmir, Turkey. Opened on September 23, 2011 by Leif Darner, AkzoNobel board member responsible for performance coatings. The extensions include office buildings, a new warehouse and a new SBU R&D lab which will become a Center of Expertise for both standard and special effect products. The manufacturing facility started operations in July 2000, as part of a joint venture with the Altan family. The Izmir site has become increasingly important over the last few years and now produces a significant proportion of high quality architectural products for Europe. "This is an excellent example of our commitment to the emerging markets," said AB Ghosh, managing director BU Powder Coatings. "Our operations in Turkey have grown steadily over the years and we continue to strengthen our position and develop our organizational structures as well as grow capacity there."