AkzoNobel, the world's largest paints and coatings company, will paint the Chenab bridge, the world's highest arch bridge under construction over the river Chenab. AkzoNobel will supply the coatings for the entire steel section of the bridge as per the approved paint schemes. It's globally acclaimed Performance Coatings brand, International? will be used to paint the Chenab Bridge.

The Chenab Bridge, an arch bridge, has been designed to link the Kashmir valley with the rest of India. The Indian Railways has undertaken the mega project of construction of a new railway line in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, from Udhampur to Baramulla, which requires the building of a connecting bridge. Measuring 359 m (1,178 ft) above the river bed, the Chenab Bridge will be the highest arch bridge in the world, and longest span for a BG rail line with arch span of 480 m (1,570 ft), the Chenab bridge spans the Chenab River between Bakkal and Kauri, in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, The bridge is expected to be completed by the year 2013.

Mr B Ramakrishnan, Managing Director, Akzo Nobel Coatings India Private Limited, said, " We have been entrusted with the responsibility of painting the Chenab Bridge, which requires high-performance and durability from the coatings due to the terrain and scale involved. Our experience in protecting bridges has been reflected in several projects, including, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Oresund Bridge, and bridge projects in the UK, USA and China."

AkzoNobel's International? Protective Coatings in India has successfully provided its solutions to many prestigious projects like the elevated Stations of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Infosys at Pune, the Nokia Manufacturing Unit at Chennai, the Volvo-Eicher headquarters at Gurgaon and some major airports across the country.

Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, AkzoNobel is a Global Fortune 500 company. Business areas in India include Protective Coatings, Marine Coatings, Powder Coatings, Industrial Coatings, Decorative Coatings and Functional Chemicals. (Contact: Humsa Dhir, humsa.dhir@akzonobel.com, Mobile: 098111-50207)