PPG has announced plans to spend $44 million on upgrading five of its powder coatings plants in the US and Latin America.

Work is either completed or underway at facilities in Brazil, Indiana; Gainesville, Texas and Greensboro, North Carolina in the US as well  as San Juan del Rio in Mexico; and Sumaré in Brazil. All the projects are scheduled to be finished by the fourth quarter of this year.

The investment – $30 million for the US plants and $14 million for those in Latin America – is planned to increase overall capacity, add production capabilities for bonded metallic powders, improve processing times with automated packaging and enhance capabilities to produce small, medium and large batches.

The company said the projects are part of its strategic efforts to expand its powder coatings offerings and increase global production to meet growing customer demand for more sustainable products. It explained that powder coatings are generally formulated without solvents that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the coatings can also be reclaimed and reused.

“Focusing on powder coatings is a win-win for PPG and our customers as we are able to offer greater access to sustainably advantaged products,” said Marizeth Carvalho, PPG global director, powder coatings, industrial coatings. “Powder is the fastest growing coatings technology in the world and PPG’s goal is to lead that charge through innovation and production advancements.”

PPG added that since 2019 it has focused on growing its powder coatings capacity and capabilities, making four strategic acquisitions and expanding production and service elements at seven sites across the globe. The group operates 21 powder manufacturing plants worldwide, seven of which have bonding capabilities.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist