Patented filler improves rolling resistance, wet traction and
manufacturing efficiency
PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2015--
PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) announced today that Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Company (NASDAQ: GT) has contracted to use AGILON(R) performance silica
by PPG to increase the fuel efficiency of its tires. Goodyear will first
use the next-generation reinforcing filler developed by PPG in
EFFICIENTGRIP(TM) tires, a line of high-performance
sport-utility-vehicle (SUV) tires debuting in Latin America this month.
Goodyear plans to incorporate Agilon performance silica into
future high-value-added tire launches in other regions in 2015.
Anup Jain, PPG vice president, specialty coatings and materials, said
PPG is pleased to add Goodyear to the growing list of manufacturers
incorporating Agilon silica-based solutions into tire and other
rubber compounds. “Goodyear is a valued partner with a long history of
setting trends in new product development and the use of new
technologies,” he explained. “We look forward to supporting Goodyear in
its tire advancement efforts with the use of Agilon performance
silica.”
A chemically-modified precipitated silica, Agilon performance
silica is a high-value technology that can improve the performance of
products in which it is used, Jain said. When substituted for
traditional silica-silane in tire compounds, Agilon performance
silica can improve vehicle fuel efficiency, tire traction and treadwear
by as much as 5 to 10 percent.
In addition, because PPG formulates Agilon performance silica by
precipitating silica and silane together, tire manufacturers no longer
have to perform this non-value-added processing step. This reduces
complexity, increases manufacturing efficiency, saves energy and
virtually eliminates rubber-mixing-related volatile organic compounds
(VOCs).
In February, PPG announced capacity expansion at its Delfzijl,
Netherlands, production facility, planned in large part to meet growing
global demand for Agilon performance silica by Goodyear and other
tire manufacturers.
PPG pioneered synthetic precipitated silica, becoming one of the first
manufacturers to bring them to market in the 1930s. Today, PPG’s silica
products group is a global leader in the manufacture of precipitated
silica for use as reinforcing fillers in tire, industrial, footwear and
silicone rubber applications; as microporous fillers in battery
separator applications; as flatting and thickening agents in coating,
adhesive and sealant applications; and as anti-caking, free-flow and
carrier agents in food, feed and industrial applications. As part of
PPG’s specialty coatings and materials business, the silica products
group serves customers through a global network of manufacturing,
research and technical-support facilities. For more information about
PPG silica products, visit www.ppgsilica.com.
PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.(TM)
PPG Industries' vision is to be the world’s leading coatings company by
consistently delivering high-quality, innovative and sustainable
solutions that customers trust to protect and beautify their products
and surroundings. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and
color, PPG provides added value to customers in construction, consumer
products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets to
enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded
in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in
nearly 70 countries around the world. Reported net sales in 2014 were
$15.4 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange
(symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com
and follow @PPGIndustries
on Twitter.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release relating to matters that are not
historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 reflecting PPG
Industries’ current view with respect to future events or objectives and
financial or operational performance or results. The forward-looking
statements contained herein include statements relating to the future
use by Goodyear of Agilon performance silica; demand growth for Agilon
performance silica; and the timing of and expected benefits of Delfzijl
precipitated silica expansion. Actual events may differ materially from
current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, including future use by Goodyear of Agilon
performance silica; demand growth for Agilon performance silica;
the timing of and expected benefits of Delfzijl precipitated silica
expansion; and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in PPG
Industries’ periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, and its current
reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of their initial
issuance, and PPG Industries does not undertake any obligation to update
or revise publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
Bringing innovation to the surface is a trademark and Agilon
is registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
EfficientGrip is a trademark of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
Source: PPG Industries
PPG Specialty Coatings and Materials
Brande Juart, 724-352-5203
juart@ppg.com