MOSCOW (MRC) -- US-based PPG Industries has opened a new liquid coatings application development centre at its plant in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, said Chemicals-technology.
The new USD3m centre includes advanced equipment that helps simulate industrial coatings customers' manufacturing environments to ensure PPG coatings will be properly and consistently applied during their production processes. It houses several curing ovens, robotic paint applicators and spray booths with temperature and humidity controls to mimic a wide range of liquid coatings application conditions.
According to the company, these capabilities will further improve the product launch process and application validation capabilities of its industrial coatings business. PPG industrial coatings liquid application manager Steve Wirtz said: "It's important to our customers to have liquid coatings products that work well in specific climates and environments. "We can simulate those conditions in our climate-controlled coating rooms to ensure that PPG products will perform as desired."
"If they're applying liquid coatings in the searing heat of summer with high humidity, or in cold-weather environments, we can simulate those conditions in our climate-controlled coating rooms to ensure that PPG products will perform as desired.
"The abilities to mimic actual production conditions and to test coatings applications on large and complex shapes and parts will enable our technical experts to work more closely with customers during development, offering new opportunities for identifying and addressing potential problems and for coatings application training."
PPG is focused on providing a comprehensive array of powder, electrocoat, pretreatment and liquid products for metal finishing to manufacturers in several industries.
PPG industrial coatings Americas vice president Kevin Braun said: "At PPG, we understand the challenges and demands our customers face every day, and we collaborate to help solve them.
"Investing in this new facility shows PPG's commitment to developing innovative coatings along with our customers and enhances our ability to work with them on next-generation liquid coatings formulations."
As MRC informed earlier, PPG Industries agreed to acquire US-based IVC Industrial Coatings for an undisclosed amount. Established in 1870 as Indianapolis Varnish, IVC Industrial produces specialty powder and liquid coatings for various products, including metal office furniture, material handling and storage products, automotive parts, motorcycles, industrial containers and small appliances. The company operates five manufacturing facilitates in the US, one plant in Guangdong, China, and a small development lab in Manchester, England. It has a workforce of over 300.
PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG) is a global supplier of protective and decorative coatings. Performance Coatings, Industrial Coatings and Architectural Coatings- EMEA segments supply protective and decorative finishes for customers in a range of end use markets, including industrial equipment, appliances and packaging; factory-finished aluminum extrusions and steel and aluminum. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries around the world.
MRC