The project is part of a series of investments PPG is making in its European automotive OEM coatings production. Other investments include expanding basecoat capacity in Valladolid, Spain, and the expansion of clearcoat production in Erlenbach, Germany, which started up last month.

“This is an important investment to strengthen our production capabilities in Europe and to ensure that we are leveraging our industry-leading waterborne technology to drive downstream sustainability, helping our customers meet their sustainability goals,” said Roald Johannsen, PPG vice president, automotive OEM coatings, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Weingarten is a particularly strategic site due to its proximity to several of our key German OEM customers.”

Waterborne technology replaces the solvents found in traditional basecoats with distilled water, providing less odor and improved air quality in the work environment. PPG said it expects the investments it is making in its automotive OEM coatings production will help to cut its carbon footprint by more than 1,000 t/y of CO₂ equivalent.

Last month, the US firm also disclosed plans to spend $2.7 million on increasing its powder coatings production in Sumare, Sao Paulo in Brazil. The project will raise capacity by roughly 40% beginning in the third quarter of 2022.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist