This deal underscores KEZAD’s role as a hub for industrial expansion in Abu Dhabi, attracting global players like Jotun to its integrated economic zones.

UAE – Jotun Abu Dhabi, a subsidiary of the global paints and coatings leader Jotun Group, has signed a landmark 50-year land lease agreement with Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group) to establish a manufacturing facility in the ICAD – KEZAD Musaffah area of Abu Dhabi, UAE.
This €113 million (USD 122.5 million) investment marks a major expansion for the company, involving the development of an 83,177-square-meter facility dedicated to manufacturing, selling, and distributing paints and coatings products across the region.
The new site represents a significant upgrade over Jotun Abu Dhabi’s existing 22,000-square-meter facility, enabling relocation and enhanced production capacity to meet rising regional demand.
The facility will focus on high-quality paints and coatings tailored for key sectors, including construction, real estate, and energy, aligning with the UAE’s booming infrastructure growth.
Construction and operations are poised to strengthen the non-oil economy, with the project expected to generate around 200 direct jobs in advanced manufacturing roles.
This deal underscores KEZAD’s role as a hub for industrial expansion in Abu Dhabi, attracting global players like Jotun to its integrated economic zones.
Svein Johan Stub, General Manager of Jotun Abu Dhabi, stated, “The new facility marks a major milestone in Jotun’s manufacturing journey in Abu Dhabi and reaffirms our commitment to the emirate.”
“KEZAD’s industrial ecosystem would enable tailored solutions to meet market demands and support growth in sectors such as construction, real estate, and energy.”
This development signals strong confidence in Abu Dhabi’s industrial ecosystem, promising job creation, technological advancement, and sustained growth in the paints sector through 2076 under the long-term lease.
According to Mordor Intelligence, the UAE paints and coatings market is valued at around USD 812 million in 2025 and is projected to grow at about 5–6% CAGR through 2031.
This is driven mainly by construction, infrastructure, and automotive demand, with architectural coatings holding the largest share and water-based, sustainable formulations gaining momentum.
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