PPG Industries
Encyclopedia
PPG Industries is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, chemicals, glass and fiber glass. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2010 were $13.4 billion. PPG is also the world's third largest producer of chlorine
and caustic soda (used in a wide variety of industrial applications), vinyl chloride
(for use in polyvinyl chloride resins), and chlorinated solvent
s. It is headquartered in PPG Place
, a popular office and retail complex in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is known for its glass facade designed by Philip Johnson
. Founded in 1883 by Captain John Baptiste Ford
and John Pitcairn
as the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company at Creighton
, Pennsylvania
; the company changed its name to PPG Industries, Inc. on 19 December 1968 to show its diverse offerings. On 2 January 2008, PPG acquired the SigmaKalon Group of companies from private investment firm Bain Capital
, strongly increasing its paint and specialty coatings business.
In 1883, Captain John B. Ford and John Pitcairn established the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company (PPG). They set up shop in Creighton, Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny River about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh. PPG became the first commercially successful producer in the United States of high-quality, thick flat glass using the plate process. The company was also the world's first plate glass plant to fuel melting furnaces with locally-produced natural gas. This innovation quickly stimulated widespread use of clean-burning gas as an industrial fuel.
1898
The company develops a process for producing thinner glass with the plate process, thereby broadening uses for the high-quality glass. By century-end, its plate glass production capacity reaches more than 20 million square feet annually, far exceeding that of any U.S. competitor.
1900s
Looking ahead, PPG acquires the Patton Paint Company in Milwaukee, a good fit for the company because paint and glass products typically reach the customers through the same distribution channels. They also acquire the Columbia Chemical Company in Barberton, Ohio, to ensure a supply of soda ash necessary to manufacture glass.
PPG becomes one of the first U.S. firms to expand operations in Europe, acquiring a glass plant in Belgium.
PPG opens its first research and development facility; today, PPG operates three facilities in Pittsburgh and many more worldwide.
1920s
The automotive industry starts using more glass as the open touring car gives way to the sedan.
PPG revolutionizes plate glassmaking with straight line conveyor-based ribbon method – a vast improvement over the batch method.
PPG begins supplying aerospace transparencies, providing roll-up windows for the Ford Trimotor.
PPG acquires Ditzler Color Company and begins producing more than 500 "harmonious hues" for 40 automakers.
1930s
PPG introduces Solex heat-absorbing glass.
PPG shows its muscle and introduces Herculite tempered glass, several times stronger and more shatter-resistant than ordinary plate glass.
1940s
The year before Pearl Harbor is attacked, PPG develops laminated aircraft glass. During WWII, the company converts much of its production into materials for military use and begins to develop synthetic resins that lead to plastics, high-performance paints and industrial coatings.
The company has a vision for its future as it patents CR-39 monomer and begins a journey into creating a successful line of optical products (which will later include Transitions lenses).
1950s
Post-WWII prosperity leads to increased car production and home and building construction.
The company introduces lead-free house paints and begins to manufacture fiber glass for circuit boards, window screening and plastics reinforcement.
1960s
PPG's businesses are diverse. A number of foreign production operations and strategic planning moves the company toward a global focus. At the same time, the historic plate process for making flat glass is becoming obsolete with the adoption of the much more efficient float process.
Reflecting its diversification, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company changes its name to PPG Industries. As a bonus, the company reaches $1 billion in sales.
1970s
The oil embargo and rising costs of gas and electricity revive interests in solar energy. PPG is the first major corporation to develop a flat-plate solar collector.
PPG expands its groovy color palette by introducing the DesignaColor System for custom-tinting consumer paints.
1980s
PPG introduces Teslin substrate, a synthetic printing material that resists water, abrasion, extreme temperatures and UV damage. Its durability makes it ideal for passports, photo IDs, maps, menus and much more.
In 1987, PPG's chlor-alkali business makes a splash when it introduces the Sustain Pool Care System, delivering chlorine more evenly and accurately for easier pool care.
In 1989, PPG begins a flurry of acquisitions that expand the company's offering of automotive, industrial, aerospace and packaging coatings around the world.
1990s
PPG develops photochromic lenses that automatically darken in sunlight and block harmful UV rays. Today, Transitions lenses are the eyecare industry's most recommended photochromic lenses.
Becoming ever-more global, PPG opens a new development laboratory in Japan for automotive coatings.
In 1998, PPG proves its "can-do" attitude by devloping more efficient solvent-based coatings for easy-opening lids on beverage cans.
2000s
PPG silicas are used to strengthen the perfomance of athletic footwear, while flexible coatings add durability and color.
As the need for alternative energy sources grows, PPG fiber glass plays a role in the manufacture of lighter and stronger wind turbines.
PPG broadens its transparent armor product portfolio with the acquisition of Sierracin Corp., adding high-performance lightweight transparent armor solutions that can withstand severe ballistic and blast threats.
In 2008, PPG makes the largest acquisition in its history, of the SigmaKalon Group, a worldwide coatings producer. This accelerates the company's transformation to focus on coatings and specialty products.
Aerospace: World’s leading supplier of sealants, coatings, aircraft maintenance chemicals, transparent armor, transparencies, and application systems, serving original equipment manufacturers and maintenance providers for the commercial, military, regional jet and general aviation industries. Services include chemicals management.
Architectural Coatings Americas and Asia/Pacific: Under the PPG Pittsburgh Paints, Olympic, PPG Porter, Monarch, and Lucite brands, this unit produces paints, stains and specialty coatings for commercial, maintenance and residential markets.
Automotive Refinish: Produces and markets a full line of coatings products and related services for automotive repair and refurbishing, light industrial coatings and specialty coatings for signs. Also created and manages CertifiedFirst, PPG’s premier collision-shop alliance.
Protective and Marine Coatings: Leading global supplier of corrosion-resistant, appearance-enhancing coatings for the marine, infrastructure, chemical processing, oil and gas,and power industries.
Industrial Coatings
Automotive OEM Coatings: Global supplier of automotive coatings and services to auto and light truck manufacturers. Products include electrocoats, primer surfacers, base coats, clear coats, pretreatment chemicals, adhesives and sealants.
Industrial Coatings: Produces a wide range of value-added coatings for appliances, agricultural and construction equipment, consumer products, electronics, heavy-duty trucks, automotive parts and accessories, residential and commercial construction, wood flooring, kitchen cabinets and other finished products.
Packaging Coatings: Global supplier of coatings, inks, compounds, pretreatment chemicals and lubricants for metal and plastic containers for the beverage, food, general line and specialty packaging industries.
Architectural Coatings - EMEA
Architectural Coatings - EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa): Producer of Sigma, Seigneurie, Johnstone’s and other brands of residential and commercial paints for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and French Overseas.
Optical and Specialty Materials
Optical Products: Produces optical monomers, including CR-39 and Trivex lens materials, photochromic dyes and Transitions lenses photochromic ophthalmic plastic eyewear.
Silicas: Produces amorphous precipitated silicas for tire, battery separator and other end-user applications and Teslin synthetic printing sheet used in applications such as waterproof labels, e-passports and identification cards.
Commodity Chemicals
Chlor-Alkali and Derivatives: A world leader in the production of chlorine, caustic soda and related chemicals for use in chemical manufacturing, pulp and paper production, water treatment, plastics production agricultural products and many other applications.
Glass
Fiber Glass: Maker of fiber glass yarn for use in electronics, especially printed circuit boards, and specialty materials, such as insect screening, medical casting and filtration fabrics. Also manufactures fiber glass chopped strands, rovings and mat products used as reinforcing agents in thermoset and thermoplastic composite applications.
Flat Glass: Produces glass that is fabricated into products primarily for commercial construction and residential markets, as well as the appliance, mirror and transportation and Solar power industries. More information, visit Residential Glass and Architectural Glass web sites.
Lime Lake Reclamation Project of PPG Industries (Barberton, OH) received special awards in the National Beneficial Use of Biosolids Program from Environmental Protection Agency
’s (EPA) region 5 in 1998. However, the same facility was accused by EPA of clean-air violations later, in 2006. According to the agency’s report PPG failed to comply with a 1-pound per hour permitted emission limit on volatile organic compounds. The tests done in January and February of the same year showed VOC
emissions as high as 8.8 pounds per hour.
In November 2010, PPG agreed to remove 700,000 tons of toxic waste from Canal Crossing
, a brownfield site in Jersey City, New Jersey
where the company operated a chromium
processing plant between 1954 and 1963. Stringent standards were agreed to in a federal court settlement.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2010 were $13.4 billion. PPG is also the world's third largest producer of chlorine
Chlorine
Chlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine...
and caustic soda (used in a wide variety of industrial applications), vinyl chloride
Vinyl chloride
Vinyl chloride is the organochloride with the formula H2C:CHCl. It is also called vinyl chloride monomer, VCM or chloroethene. This colorless compound is an important industrial chemical chiefly used to produce the polymer polyvinyl chloride . At ambient pressure and temperature, vinyl chloride...
(for use in polyvinyl chloride resins), and chlorinated solvent
Solvent
A solvent is a liquid, solid, or gas that dissolves another solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution that is soluble in a certain volume of solvent at a specified temperature...
s. It is headquartered in PPG Place
PPG Place
PPG Place is a complex in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, consisting of six buildings within three city blocks and five and a half acres. Named for its anchor tenant, PPG Industries, who initiated the project for its headquarters, the buildings are all of matching glass design consisting of...
, a popular office and retail complex in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is known for its glass facade designed by Philip Johnson
Philip Johnson
Philip Cortelyou Johnson was an influential American architect.In 1930, he founded the Department of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and later , as a trustee, he was awarded an American Institute of Architects Gold Medal and the first Pritzker Architecture...
. Founded in 1883 by Captain John Baptiste Ford
John Baptiste Ford
Captain John Baptiste Ford was an American industrialist and founder of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, now known as PPG Industries, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
and John Pitcairn
John Pitcairn, Jr.
John Pitcairn, Jr. was a Scottish-born American industrialist. With just an elementary school education, Pitcairn rose through the ranks of the Pennsylvania railroad industry, and played a significant role in the creation of the modern oil and natural gas industries...
as the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company at Creighton
Creighton, Pennsylvania
Creighton is an unincorporated community in East Deer Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States; it is located in Western Pennsylvania within the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area, approximately northeast of Pittsburgh. Creighton is situated along the Allegheny River at Pool...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
; the company changed its name to PPG Industries, Inc. on 19 December 1968 to show its diverse offerings. On 2 January 2008, PPG acquired the SigmaKalon Group of companies from private investment firm Bain Capital
Bain Capital
Bain Capital LLC is a Boston-based private equity firm founded in 1984 by partners from the consulting firm Bain & Company. Originally conceived as an early-stage, growth-oriented investment fund, Bain Capital today manages approximately $65 billion in assets, and its strategies include private...
, strongly increasing its paint and specialty coatings business.
Company History
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, chemicals, glass and fiber glass. The company has more than 140 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates and operates in more than 60 countries. Sales in 2010 were $13.4 billion. Our success is driven by a tradition of well-regarded product and process technology, management and ethical standards. Join us for a look back on 125 years of breakthrough ideas and transforming innovations.In 1883, Captain John B. Ford and John Pitcairn established the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company (PPG). They set up shop in Creighton, Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny River about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh. PPG became the first commercially successful producer in the United States of high-quality, thick flat glass using the plate process. The company was also the world's first plate glass plant to fuel melting furnaces with locally-produced natural gas. This innovation quickly stimulated widespread use of clean-burning gas as an industrial fuel.
1898
The company develops a process for producing thinner glass with the plate process, thereby broadening uses for the high-quality glass. By century-end, its plate glass production capacity reaches more than 20 million square feet annually, far exceeding that of any U.S. competitor.
1900s
Looking ahead, PPG acquires the Patton Paint Company in Milwaukee, a good fit for the company because paint and glass products typically reach the customers through the same distribution channels. They also acquire the Columbia Chemical Company in Barberton, Ohio, to ensure a supply of soda ash necessary to manufacture glass.
PPG becomes one of the first U.S. firms to expand operations in Europe, acquiring a glass plant in Belgium.
PPG opens its first research and development facility; today, PPG operates three facilities in Pittsburgh and many more worldwide.
1920s
The automotive industry starts using more glass as the open touring car gives way to the sedan.
PPG revolutionizes plate glassmaking with straight line conveyor-based ribbon method – a vast improvement over the batch method.
PPG begins supplying aerospace transparencies, providing roll-up windows for the Ford Trimotor.
PPG acquires Ditzler Color Company and begins producing more than 500 "harmonious hues" for 40 automakers.
1930s
PPG introduces Solex heat-absorbing glass.
PPG shows its muscle and introduces Herculite tempered glass, several times stronger and more shatter-resistant than ordinary plate glass.
1940s
The year before Pearl Harbor is attacked, PPG develops laminated aircraft glass. During WWII, the company converts much of its production into materials for military use and begins to develop synthetic resins that lead to plastics, high-performance paints and industrial coatings.
The company has a vision for its future as it patents CR-39 monomer and begins a journey into creating a successful line of optical products (which will later include Transitions lenses).
1950s
Post-WWII prosperity leads to increased car production and home and building construction.
The company introduces lead-free house paints and begins to manufacture fiber glass for circuit boards, window screening and plastics reinforcement.
1960s
PPG's businesses are diverse. A number of foreign production operations and strategic planning moves the company toward a global focus. At the same time, the historic plate process for making flat glass is becoming obsolete with the adoption of the much more efficient float process.
Reflecting its diversification, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company changes its name to PPG Industries. As a bonus, the company reaches $1 billion in sales.
1970s
The oil embargo and rising costs of gas and electricity revive interests in solar energy. PPG is the first major corporation to develop a flat-plate solar collector.
PPG expands its groovy color palette by introducing the DesignaColor System for custom-tinting consumer paints.
1980s
PPG introduces Teslin substrate, a synthetic printing material that resists water, abrasion, extreme temperatures and UV damage. Its durability makes it ideal for passports, photo IDs, maps, menus and much more.
In 1987, PPG's chlor-alkali business makes a splash when it introduces the Sustain Pool Care System, delivering chlorine more evenly and accurately for easier pool care.
In 1989, PPG begins a flurry of acquisitions that expand the company's offering of automotive, industrial, aerospace and packaging coatings around the world.
1990s
PPG develops photochromic lenses that automatically darken in sunlight and block harmful UV rays. Today, Transitions lenses are the eyecare industry's most recommended photochromic lenses.
Becoming ever-more global, PPG opens a new development laboratory in Japan for automotive coatings.
In 1998, PPG proves its "can-do" attitude by devloping more efficient solvent-based coatings for easy-opening lids on beverage cans.
2000s
PPG silicas are used to strengthen the perfomance of athletic footwear, while flexible coatings add durability and color.
As the need for alternative energy sources grows, PPG fiber glass plays a role in the manufacture of lighter and stronger wind turbines.
PPG broadens its transparent armor product portfolio with the acquisition of Sierracin Corp., adding high-performance lightweight transparent armor solutions that can withstand severe ballistic and blast threats.
In 2008, PPG makes the largest acquisition in its history, of the SigmaKalon Group, a worldwide coatings producer. This accelerates the company's transformation to focus on coatings and specialty products.
Business units
Performance CoatingsAerospace: World’s leading supplier of sealants, coatings, aircraft maintenance chemicals, transparent armor, transparencies, and application systems, serving original equipment manufacturers and maintenance providers for the commercial, military, regional jet and general aviation industries. Services include chemicals management.
Architectural Coatings Americas and Asia/Pacific: Under the PPG Pittsburgh Paints, Olympic, PPG Porter, Monarch, and Lucite brands, this unit produces paints, stains and specialty coatings for commercial, maintenance and residential markets.
Automotive Refinish: Produces and markets a full line of coatings products and related services for automotive repair and refurbishing, light industrial coatings and specialty coatings for signs. Also created and manages CertifiedFirst, PPG’s premier collision-shop alliance.
Protective and Marine Coatings: Leading global supplier of corrosion-resistant, appearance-enhancing coatings for the marine, infrastructure, chemical processing, oil and gas,and power industries.
Industrial Coatings
Automotive OEM Coatings: Global supplier of automotive coatings and services to auto and light truck manufacturers. Products include electrocoats, primer surfacers, base coats, clear coats, pretreatment chemicals, adhesives and sealants.
Industrial Coatings: Produces a wide range of value-added coatings for appliances, agricultural and construction equipment, consumer products, electronics, heavy-duty trucks, automotive parts and accessories, residential and commercial construction, wood flooring, kitchen cabinets and other finished products.
Packaging Coatings: Global supplier of coatings, inks, compounds, pretreatment chemicals and lubricants for metal and plastic containers for the beverage, food, general line and specialty packaging industries.
Architectural Coatings - EMEA
Architectural Coatings - EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa): Producer of Sigma, Seigneurie, Johnstone’s and other brands of residential and commercial paints for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and French Overseas.
Optical and Specialty Materials
Optical Products: Produces optical monomers, including CR-39 and Trivex lens materials, photochromic dyes and Transitions lenses photochromic ophthalmic plastic eyewear.
Silicas: Produces amorphous precipitated silicas for tire, battery separator and other end-user applications and Teslin synthetic printing sheet used in applications such as waterproof labels, e-passports and identification cards.
Commodity Chemicals
Chlor-Alkali and Derivatives: A world leader in the production of chlorine, caustic soda and related chemicals for use in chemical manufacturing, pulp and paper production, water treatment, plastics production agricultural products and many other applications.
Glass
Fiber Glass: Maker of fiber glass yarn for use in electronics, especially printed circuit boards, and specialty materials, such as insect screening, medical casting and filtration fabrics. Also manufactures fiber glass chopped strands, rovings and mat products used as reinforcing agents in thermoset and thermoplastic composite applications.
Flat Glass: Produces glass that is fabricated into products primarily for commercial construction and residential markets, as well as the appliance, mirror and transportation and Solar power industries. More information, visit Residential Glass and Architectural Glass web sites.
Former business units
PPG industries also once included:- Biomedical Systems: created by the purchase (in 1986 and 1987) of the medical electronics divisions of HoneywellHoneywellHoneywell International, Inc. is a major conglomerate company that produces a variety of consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems for a wide variety of customers, from private consumers to major corporations and governments....
, Litton IndustriesLitton IndustriesNamed after inventor Charles Litton, Sr., Litton Industries was a large defense contractor in the United States, bought by the Northrop Grumman Corporation in 2001.-History:...
, and Allegheny International. The biomedical systems division manufactured cardiac recording equipment, patient-monitoring systems, electrocardiogram instruments, defibrillators, and other products. The division lost money, in part because of high research and development costs, and was split up and sold to several companies during 1993–1995. - Automotive Glass and Replacement Glass and Services: Fabricated and distributed replacement windshields and auto glass as well as original equipment automotive glass. Provided software and services linking the automotive aftermarket, insurance and fleet industries. Included LYNX Services claims-management solutions, PPG PROSTARS retail auto glass marketing alliance and Aquapel (glass treatment)Aquapel (glass treatment)Aquapel is a rain repellent glass treatment created by PPG Industries. It is a competitor to the more widely known Rain-X product, but unlike Rain-X, is not a silicone-based compound. Aquapel Glass Treatment consists of fluorinated compounds which create a chemical bond with glass surfaces, causing...
. This business unit was divested in 2007. Today the unit is named Pittsburgh Glass Works (PGW), Which is owned by Kohlberg & Company, L.L.C. - Fine Chemicals: Produced advanced intermediates and bulk active ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry, and phosgene derivatives used in plastics, agricultural, pharmaceutical and other industries. This business unit was divested in 2007.
Environmental record
PPG Industries will soon begin creating wetlands along the Calcasieu River as the final phase of a project to remediate and reroute the water discharge canal at its Lake Charles facility. The initiative, which began more than a year ago, reroutes the plant’s water discharge point from Bayou d’Inde to the Calcasieu River and creates 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) of wetlands adjacent to the Interstate 210 bridge.Lime Lake Reclamation Project of PPG Industries (Barberton, OH) received special awards in the National Beneficial Use of Biosolids Program from Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
’s (EPA) region 5 in 1998. However, the same facility was accused by EPA of clean-air violations later, in 2006. According to the agency’s report PPG failed to comply with a 1-pound per hour permitted emission limit on volatile organic compounds. The tests done in January and February of the same year showed VOC
Volatile organic compound
Volatile organic compounds are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary, room-temperature conditions. Their high vapor pressure results from a low boiling point, which causes large numbers of molecules to evaporate or sublimate from the liquid or solid form of the compound and...
emissions as high as 8.8 pounds per hour.
In November 2010, PPG agreed to remove 700,000 tons of toxic waste from Canal Crossing
Canal Crossing, Jersey City
Canal Crossing is a New Urbanism project on the eastern side of Jersey City, New Jersey between the Greenville Section, Bergen-Lafayette and Liberty State Park...
, a brownfield site in Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
where the company operated a chromium
Chromium
Chromium is a chemical element which has the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is the first element in Group 6. It is a steely-gray, lustrous, hard metal that takes a high polish and has a high melting point. It is also odorless, tasteless, and malleable...
processing plant between 1954 and 1963. Stringent standards were agreed to in a federal court settlement.