Company Description
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (NYSE: AXTA) is a global coatings company that develops, manufactures and markets high-performance coating systems for a wide range of end uses. According to the company, its coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enhance durability for customers in multiple industries and applications. Axalta reports that it serves more than 100,000 customers in over 140 countries and has more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry.
Axalta is incorporated in Bermuda and its ordinary shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AXTA. The company describes itself as a global leader in the coatings industry, with solutions that span light vehicles, commercial vehicles, refinish applications, electric motors, building facades and other industrial applications. Its business is organized around coatings technologies that support both appearance and protection, combining color design with functional performance.
Business segments and end markets
Axalta operates through distinct business areas that align with its customer base and technology focus. In its public materials, the company highlights two primary end-market groupings:
- Performance Coatings – This area aligns with the description that Axalta provides coatings for refinish and industrial applications. Refinish coatings are used on vehicles after original manufacture, while industrial coatings support a variety of manufactured products and structures. Axalta’s coatings in these markets are positioned to help protect surfaces, manage corrosion and support productivity in customer operations.
- Mobility Coatings – Axalta provides coating technologies to original equipment manufacturers of light and commercial vehicles. These coatings contribute to vehicle appearance, durability and protection. The company’s Mobility Coatings activities are closely linked to global automotive production and evolving mobility trends.
Axalta’s public reports describe its Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings segments in the context of financial reporting, noting that Performance Coatings serves refinish and industrial customers and Mobility Coatings serves light vehicle and commercial vehicle manufacturers. The company also references organic net sales and segment Adjusted EBITDA as key internal measures used to evaluate performance.
Global footprint and industry role
Axalta states that it serves customers in more than 140 countries and refers to a global team that continues to find ways to serve its more than 100,000 customers better every day with coatings, application systems and technology. In multiple news releases, Axalta describes itself as a global leader in the coatings industry and emphasizes its long history, noting more than 150 years of experience in coatings and color design.
The company’s activities span automotive, transportation, industrial and architectural-related applications. For example, Axalta highlights coatings for light vehicles, commercial vehicles, refinish applications, electric motors, building facades and other industrial uses. It also refers to application systems and technology that support the use of its coatings in customer operations.
Color expertise and automotive focus
Axalta places particular emphasis on its expertise in color for the automotive sector. The company publishes an annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, which it describes as the automotive industry’s longest running and most comprehensive color account, first published in 1953. This report analyzes automotive build data from leading vehicle production regions and major markets around the world to provide global color popularity rankings, regional trends and insight into market preferences.
In addition, Axalta selects an annual Global Automotive Color of the Year. For 2026, the company announced "Solar Boost," a warm orange tone designed for modern vehicles and described as reflecting a shift toward more expressive, individualistic vehicle colors. Axalta links these initiatives to its global color research and to its understanding of how color influences vehicle perception and buyer preferences.
Technology, R&D and innovation
Axalta regularly highlights its focus on technology and research. The company refers to a Global Technology function and to internal recognition such as the Axalta Fellow designation, which it describes as the highest honor a scientist or engineer can earn within that function. Axalta notes that its technical leaders contribute to coating processes, clearcoat platforms, electrification-related formulations and a substantial portfolio of patent filings.
In its public communications, Axalta also points to specialized coatings for emerging applications. For example, it has introduced Alesta e-PRO powder coatings engineered for extreme heat protection and electrical insulation in electric vehicle battery systems and stationary energy storage. These products are described as part of Axalta’s broader portfolio of battery coatings and as supporting thermal stability and dielectric performance when used as part of validated OEM battery systems.
Financial reporting and performance metrics
Axalta provides regular financial updates through quarterly earnings releases and Form 8-K filings. These materials describe net sales, segment performance and profitability metrics. The company frequently references non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Diluted EPS, adjusted net income, Free Cash Flow, tax rate (as adjusted) and Adjusted EBIT. Management states that these measures are used to evaluate underlying trends, liquidity and capital allocation decisions, while cautioning that they are not substitutes for GAAP metrics.
Axalta also discusses organic net sales, which it defines by excluding the impact of foreign currency translation and certain acquisitions or divestitures. The company notes that it uses this measure to evaluate sales performance without the impact of exchange rates and portfolio changes.
Strategic developments and merger agreement
On November 18, 2025, Axalta disclosed in a Form 8-K that it entered into a Merger Agreement with Akzo Nobel N.V., a public company incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands. The agreement provides for an all-stock merger of equals, under which a newly formed Bermuda subsidiary of AkzoNobel will merge with and into Axalta, with Axalta continuing as the surviving company and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of AkzoNobel. At the effective time of the merger, each outstanding Axalta ordinary share (subject to specified exceptions) is to be converted into the right to receive AkzoNobel ordinary shares based on a stated exchange ratio.
The Form 8-K describes conditions to closing, including shareholder approvals, regulatory clearances, listing approvals, a special cash dividend by AkzoNobel and other customary conditions. It also outlines governance arrangements for the combined company, including a one-tier board with nominees from both companies and jointly nominated independent directors. As of the latest filings provided, the merger is subject to completion of these conditions and has an outside date, with potential extension under certain circumstances.
In a joint news release dated November 18, 2025, AkzoNobel and Axalta characterized the planned combination as an all-stock merger of equals intended to create a premier global coatings company. The release notes that the combined business will have a balanced global footprint and a portfolio across powder, aerospace, refinish, mobility, marine and protective, industrial coatings and decorative paints, supported by a large R&D base and a significant number of granted and pending patent applications.
Capital allocation and financing
Axalta’s public disclosures describe an active approach to capital allocation, including share repurchases and credit facility management. For example, in an October 28, 2025 Form 8-K, the company reported entering into an amendment to its credit agreement to permit the use of borrowings to fund repurchases of Axalta common shares, subject to specified conditions. Earnings releases also discuss share repurchase activity and the company’s use of free cash flow to support productivity and growth initiatives.
Corporate structure and headquarters
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. is organized under the laws of Bermuda and reports its principal U.S. location as being in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In connection with the planned merger with AkzoNobel, public communications indicate that the combined company is expected to be organized under a Dutch holding company with tax residency in the Netherlands and dual headquarters in Amsterdam and Philadelphia, with a transition to a single New York Stock Exchange listing after a period of dual listing.
AXTA stock: what investors track
Investors following AXTA typically review Axalta’s segment performance in Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, its global exposure to automotive and industrial markets, and its use of non-GAAP metrics such as Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow. They may also monitor developments related to the announced merger with AkzoNobel, including regulatory approvals, shareholder votes and the expected governance and listing structure of the combined company.
Frequently asked questions about Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.
- What does Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. do?
Axalta develops and supplies coatings designed to provide color, corrosion protection, durability and productivity benefits. Its coatings are used on light vehicles, commercial vehicles, refinish applications, electric motors, building facades and other industrial applications. - How does Axalta describe its main business segments?
In its public materials, Axalta refers to Performance Coatings, which serves refinish and industrial customers, and Mobility Coatings, which provides coating technologies to original equipment manufacturers of light and commercial vehicles. - Where does Axalta operate?
Axalta states that it serves more than 100,000 customers in over 140 countries. It describes itself as a global company with a footprint that spans major automotive and industrial markets worldwide. - What is Axalta’s experience in the coatings industry?
Axalta notes that it has more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, including long-running work in automotive color design and performance coatings. - What is the significance of Axalta’s Global Automotive Color Popularity Report?
Axalta’s Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, first published in 1953, analyzes automotive build data from leading production regions to rank popular vehicle colors and highlight regional and global trends in automotive color preferences. - What is Axalta’s Global Automotive Color of the Year?
Each year, Axalta selects an Automotive Color of the Year to reflect emerging trends in vehicle styling and consumer preferences. For 2026, the company announced "Solar Boost," an orange tone developed through its global color research. - How is Axalta involved in electric vehicle and energy storage applications?
Axalta has introduced coatings such as Alesta e-PRO FG Black and Alesta e-PRO Dielectric Gray, which it describes as engineered for extreme heat protection and electrical insulation in electric vehicle battery systems and stationary energy storage, as part of its broader battery coatings portfolio. - What merger has Axalta announced with AkzoNobel?
On November 18, 2025, Axalta announced a Merger Agreement with Akzo Nobel N.V. for an all-stock merger of equals. Under the agreement, a Bermuda subsidiary of AkzoNobel will merge with Axalta, and Axalta will become a wholly owned subsidiary of AkzoNobel, with Axalta shareholders receiving AkzoNobel ordinary shares based on an agreed exchange ratio, subject to closing conditions. - Will Axalta remain listed under AXTA after the merger?
Public communications indicate that the combined company will transition to a single New York Stock Exchange listing after a period of dual listing on Euronext Amsterdam and the NYSE. The combined company will assume a new name and ticker symbol, which is expected to be announced in due course. - How does Axalta present its financial performance?
Axalta reports GAAP results and also uses non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Diluted EPS, adjusted net income, Free Cash Flow, tax rate (as adjusted) and Adjusted EBIT. The company states that these measures help management and investors evaluate underlying trends and capital allocation, while noting their limitations compared to GAAP metrics.