PPG’s Paint for a New Start Initiative Upgrades Lorenzo Cobianchi Secondary School

PPG announced the completion of a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES project that helped renovate the Lorenzo Cobianchi Secondary School in Verbania, Italy, as part of the company’s New Paint for a New Start initiative. The project brought together nearly 25 PPG volunteers, who dedicated around 180 hours to repaint the chemistry building’s corridors, classrooms and common areas.

PPG contributed $63,000 (€54.000) to the project, including 93 gallons (355 liters) of SIGMA COATINGS paint by PPG. The company recently acquired a manufacturing site in Verbania.

Founded in 1886, the Lorenzo Cobianchi Secondary School has 2,000 students, with nearly 350 students and 90 teachers in the chemistry department. The New Paint for a New Start project aimed to refurbish the chemistry area to create a colorful and beautiful space. The color palette included Summer Sunset (PPG1192-6) and Golden Hour (PPG1214-6), which are orange and ochre hues that promote socialization and stimulate happiness. For the upper parts of the walls and ceilings, Gypsum (PPG1006-1) brought brightness to the rooms.

Through New Paint for a New Start, PPG employees around the world volunteered their time throughout the months of July and August to transform 36 schools and serve local students. Using PPG paint products and color expertise, each project aimed tocreate engaging spaces for students to learn and grow.

For this event PPG also cooperated with aa local non-profit Gattabuia Ristorante Sociale, which is dedicated to the professional integration of ex-convicts. The organization provided catering services during the event and made use of fresh ingredients and sustainable items.

“It is with great pride that we have been carrying out the Colorful Communities initiative for more than seven years”, said Paolo Pallavera, PPG manufacturing and process manager, powder coatings, Industrial Coatings, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “This program underscores our commitment to the communities where we operate. On this occasion, we chose to focus on a community where we recently began operating to bring our mission to protect and beautify the world to life and brighten up Verbania.”