November 6, 2026 — Amsterdam and Philadelphia — The European Commission has conditionally approved the proposed merger of equals between Akzo Nobel N.V. (AkzoNobel) and Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (Axalta), clearing a major regulatory hurdle for the creation of a global coatings company with approximately US$17 billion in annual revenue.
As part of the approval, the companies agreed to sell AkzoNobel’s European vehicle refinish business to address competition concerns the Commission identified. The divestment is intended to eliminate the overlap between the companies’ activities in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, while maintaining competition and customer choice in the region’s vehicle refinish coatings market.
The companies said the Commission identified no other competition concerns in additional markets. The proposed all-stock transaction remains subject to outstanding regulatory approvals, with closing expected in early 2027.
The merger will combine the companies’ complementary product portfolios, technologies, and brands across powder, aerospace, refinish, mobility, marine and protective, industrial, and decorative coatings.
“Receiving the European Commission’s approval is an important milestone as we move closer to completing our merger with Axalta,” said Greg Poux-Guillaume, AkzoNobel CEO, who will lead the combined company. “We’re well on track and look forward to bringing together our complementary technologies, expertise, and talented teams to accelerate growth.”
Chris Villavarayan, Axalta CEO and president, who is expected to become deputy CEO of the combined company, said the merger would strengthen the companies’ ability to serve customers globally and invest in new technologies.
“Together we will be better positioned to serve our customers around the world, accelerate investment in differentiated technologies, and create a global leader in coatings with scale, innovation, and capabilities to shape the future of our industry,” he said.
For the collision repair sector, the agreed divestment is a significant part of the transaction. The sale of AkzoNobel’s European vehicle refinish business will reshape the competitive landscape in that market, although the companies have not identified the buyer or provided details of the business to be divested.
The impact on customers, product distribution, and the companies’ operations outside Europe remains to be seen as the transaction moves toward completion.