Performance advantages like advanced corrosion protection, greater design flexibility and better edge coverage are a few reasons why powder is the fastest growing coating technology in the world today. But there is another factor driving the rapid adoption of powder among manufacturers: a growing interest in more sustainable solutions.
PPG Invests Big in Powder Productivity and Capabilities
Powder is generally made without solvents that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), overspray can be reclaimed and reused, and less paint is needed since power coating is an electrostatic process where charged paint particles are applied to grounded parts. Finally, powder is cleaned up with compressed air so no hazardous waste is produced in the process.
PPG has committed to achieving 50% of sales from sustainability advantaged products by 2030. Powder coatings have played an integral part of these efforts since 2019.
PPG recently announced a $44 million investment to upgrade five powder coating manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Latin America. The projects are part of PPG’s strategic efforts to expand its powder coatings offerings and increase global production to meet growing customer demand for sustainably advantaged products.
Collectively, the investment – $30 million for U.S. plants and $14 million for facilities in Latin America – is expected to increase overall capacity, add production capabilities for bonded metallic powders, improve processing times with automated packaging, and enhance capabilities to produce small, medium and large batches.
Enhancements and expansions are already completed or under way at powder production facilities in Brazil, Ind., Gainesville, Texas; Greensboro, N.C.; San Juan del Rio, Mexico; and Sumaré, Brazil. PPG expects to finish these projects by the fourth quarter of 2023.
The first project completed is PPG's production site in Indiana, which expanded by 20,000 square feet to accommodate two state-of-the-art lines for bonded metallic powder and automated packaging capabilities as part of this initiative.
PPG is a leading supplier of powder coatings to the automotive, general industrial, appliance, furniture and other key industries. It has an expansive global footprint with 21 powder manufacturing plants – seven with bonding capabilities – a powder resin plant, an R&D development center and a global center of excellence.
The company is renowned for breakthrough powder innovations including PPG ENVIROCRON ® High Transfer Efficiency (HTE) and PPG Envirocron Extreme Protection Edge powder coatings and is one of the only global suppliers with expertise across all major coating technologies, including liquid, electrocoat, pretreatment and UV/EB curable coatings.