PPG has recently inaugurated a new waterborne automotive coatings manufacturing plant in Samut Prakan, Thailand, with the aim of enhancing production capacity for sustainable coatings in Southeast Asia. The plant is equipped with an automated spray application center and has an annual production capacity of 2,000t.
According to Alisha Bellezza, Senior Vice President of PPG Automotive OEM Coatings, the rapid growth of the automotive sector in Southeast Asia, coupled with the Thai government’s support for electric vehicles, has created significant opportunities for global automakers. In response to this demand, PPG decided to expand its operations in the region.
The new facility will focus on producing waterborne basecoats and primers to meet the increasing demand for environmentally friendly automotive coatings in Southeast Asia. Thomas Li, Vice President of PPG Asia Pacific Automotive OEM Coatings, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and its dedication to promoting sustainable transformation within the automotive coatings industry.
In addition to the plant in Thailand, PPG announced plans last year to invest $300 million in advanced manufacturing facilities in North America by 2024. One of these investments includes the construction of a new paint and coatings manufacturing plant in Loudon County, Tennessee, which will be the company’s first plant in over 15 years.
Tim Knavish, Chairman and CEO of PPG, highlighted the company’s focus on innovation and quality, stating that the investments in manufacturing facilities aim to modernize and digitize PPG’s capabilities while enhancing operational efficiency and reducing product complexity. These investments align with PPG’s goal of being the premier single-source coatings supplier for all vehicle surfaces.
Overall, PPG’s expansion in Thailand and investments in North America reflect the company’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and quality in the automotive coatings industry. Their efforts to promote environmentally friendly coatings and enhance manufacturing capabilities demonstrate PPG’s dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the global automotive market.
