PPG announced an expansion of its coatings manufacturing capacity in Europe for packaging applications. The investments at sites in The Netherlands and Poland will support growing customer demand in the region for the latest generation of coatings for aluminum and steel cans used in packaging for beverage, food and personal care items. Financial details related to the expansions were not disclosed.

The projects include a further expansion of the company’s location in Tiel, The Netherlands, which will increase the plant’s production capacity for PPG INNOVEL® non-BPA internal coatings for beverage cans by 30%. Expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022, the project follows a 50% expansion completed at the end of 2020. The Tiel plant also will double its production capacity for PPG iSENSE® external coatings that are used for the exterior of metal cans for beverage and personal care packaging. That project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

PPG Innovel is the most widely used, non-BPA internal beverage can spray technology in the world, providing flavor-neutral properties and suitability for a broad range of filling products. PPG iSense specialty overvarnish coatings offer differentiating sensory surface effects for can exteriors, including textured finishes that help brands stand out on increasingly crowded store shelves.

PPG also will double capacity at its Cieszyn, Poland, plant to support the growth of the PPG NUTRISHIELD™ line of non-BPA, internal, food can coatings. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2021.

“These investments demonstrate our long-term commitment to support our packaging customers across Europe and beyond,” said Alessandro Borzino, PPG general manager, packaging coatings, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “They will improve our ability to efficiently supply the innovative coatings solutions that canmakers and brands trust.”

These latest investments follow a project completed last year to expand packaging coatings capacity at the company’s Bodelshausen, Germany site. That project doubled production capacity for white lacquers that are used on the external surface of personal care and caps and closures packaging. The research and development (R&D) facility at the site has also been expanded and now represents the company’s European R&D packaging center of excellence. Its official inauguration will be later this year.

“We are dedicated to delivering novel and breakthrough technologies to exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Borzino. “Through our commitment to innovation and dedication to quality and high-performance products, PPG provides increased value for brand owners and operational advantages to manufacturers.”