THE AKZO Nobel site in Darwen is to be sold, it has been confirmed.
As we revealed last month, the Dutch firm is being forced to sell the plant by the Competition Commission to complete its take over of rival firm ICI.
Akzo Nobel will also sell off sites in Hull, Warrington, Dublin and Belfast to satisfy the commission.
Today the commission gave the takeover its approval and Akzo Nobel was put up for sale.
The UK boss of Akzo Nobel pledged in the Lancashire Telegraph last month that the move would not lead to any job losses.
Some 650 people are employed at the Darwen site which is based at Crown House, Hollins Road, Darwen, and has been established in the town for over 100 years under various names.
Today Akzo Nobel CEO Hans Wijers said: "We will be making every effort to ensure that these excellent businesses are transferred to the most appropriate new owners who will build on he successes that these activities have already achieved."
Akzo Nobel expects the acquisition of ICI to be completed on January 2.
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