PPG begins resin production in China

PPG Industries began operations at a new facility in the Zhangjiagang Yangtze International Chemical Industrial Park, Jiangsu Province, which is its first resin production plant in mainland China. With initial production capacity of 27,000 metric tons per year, the plant will supply resin products to PPG coatings plants and other customers in the region.

“Start-up of the Zhangjiagang plant marks another important milestone in PPG’s history of doing business in China,” said Charles Bunch, PPG chairman and chief executive. “This resins plant will help PPG to better serve China and other countries in the Asia Pacific region, reinforcing our leading position in the regional paint and coatings industry as well as our focus on growth in these rapidly developing economies. Additionally, the plant’s green systems and construction help PPG to honor its commitment to sustainable operation.”

“China and the entire Asia Pacific region are areas of great importance to PPG’s global growth strategy,” said Viktor Sekmakas, PPG senior vice president, industrial coatings, and president, PPG Asia Pacific. “The Zhangjiagang facility will supply regional PPG coatings plants with key raw materials of consistent quality, more quickly and at lower costs than was previously possible. It will help to streamline PPG’s Asia Pacific operations and increase our commitment to providing customers here with high-quality products and reliable service.”

The new plant will produce finished electrodeposition resins for use in the manufacture of automotive and industrial electrocoat products. It spans 60,000 square meters and incorporates green building materials by PPG such as low-VOC coatings and low-emissivity glass. Since PPG began construction of the plant in October 2009, it has aimed to conserve energy, water and raw materials that will make the facility a model of sustainability in the region. PPG also operates resin-production facilities in the U.S., Europe, Brazil, Australia, South Korea and Mexico.