Specialty paints group AkzoNobel is closing its factory in Deventer by the end of 2016, with the loss of 215 jobs.

Work currently done at the plant will be moved to other existing production facilities in Europe, North America, and China over the next three years.

However, the site’s regional R&D and technology centre, with has a workforce of 235, will remain in full operation, the company said in a statement.

The company said in July it is to speed up its planned reorganisation in an effort to offset the ‘challenging’ economic conditions.