Two products from PPG's protective and marine coatings business—Aquapon water-based epoxy and Pitt-Guard rapid-coat, direct-to-rust epoxy—were specified by Kurt Amundsen, a senior associate at the architectural firm Populous, to protect Pittsburgh's CONSOL Energy Center's structural steel from ultraviolet (UV) exposure, rust and other environmental hazards.

PPG coatings have helped the CONSOL Energy Center to become the first NHL arena to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

“LEED certification was important to the owners, so the ability to source the product regionally was an incentive," Amundsen said. He added that Populous regularly specifies Aquapon and Pitt-Guard coatings for building projects. “They are a standard in our product spec list."

“PPG is very excited to be part of this new Pittsburgh landmark,” said Ed Brunins, PPG market manager, protective and marine coatings, United States and Canada. “Our products are designed to be tough and resilient, and to exceed our customers’ expectations.”

Aquapon epoxy is a fast-drying, low-VOC coating with a hard, durable finish that resists exposure to corrosive solvents, acids, alkalis and slats. Pitt-Guard epoxy is engineered for barrier protection of steel, aluminum, hot-dipped galvanized steel and masonry surfaces. It has excellent wetting characteristics that enable application and good performance over tightly adhering rust and excellent performance over abrasive blasted surfaces.