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Our history
Find out how we’ve been changing the world since 1646 and how Alfred Nobel became one of our founding fathers.
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).
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).
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).
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.
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.
