PPG expands clear coat production
Pittsburgh-based PPG announced the start-up of expanded automotive OEM clear coat production at its facility in Erlenbach, Germany.
“This is an important investment that ensures we will continue to meet the growing regional demand for our premium clear coats, which offer the world-class finish with superior appearance and durability that our customers demand,” said Roald Johannsen, PPG vice president, automotive OEM coatings, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
The €3 million project (about $3.4 million in U.S. dollars) nearly doubles the site’s capacity for premium clear coats, the firm said, and uses advanced manufacturing technology to improve operational efficiency, sustainability and flexibility compared to conventional processes.
“Using advanced manufacturing technology also gives us increased flexibility to produce different products in multiple batch sizes in the most sustainable way.”
Headquartered in Pittsburg, PPG acquired the Erlenbach site from Hemmelrath in 2019 to enhance its automotive coatings offering and add formulating and manufacturing capability, said the company.
The new clear coat facility uses a fully automated, state-of-the-art, and highly sustainable production process that boasts shorter and faster manufacturing times and flexible manufacturing of multiple batch sizes of up to 25 metric tons.
“This investment makes our Erlenbach facility a center of excellence for clear coats, using best-in-class technologies to deliver superior scratch- and chemical-resistant coatings that are highly durable,” Johannsen said.
Operating in more than 75 countries, PPG said it develops and delivers the paints, coatings and materials that its customers have trusted for more than 135 years.