Expansion to help meet growing worldwide demand for AGILON performance
silica
PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2015--
PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) announced that it is increasing precipitated
silica production capacity at its Delfzijl, Netherlands, manufacturing
location by more than 15,000 tons per year, due in part to growing
global demand for AGILON(R) performance silica products.
The expansion is expected to come online in 2016 and will help PPG meet
growing demand for its silica products, including large-scale Agilon
volumes tied to a new multiyear global supply agreement with a
multinational tire manufacturer.
“Based on positive customer trials and interest, demand for Agilon
performance silica is growing globally,” said Anup Jain, PPG vice
president, specialty coatings and materials.
“The multimillion-dollar investment in Delfzijl will not only expand
capacity but also give us the flexibility to rapidly switch existing
production capability between conventional precipitated silica and Agilon
performance silica to meet marketplace needs,” Jain added. “The
expansion demonstrates PPG’s commitment to our customers.”
Agilon performance silica is a high-value technology platform of
chemically-modified precipitated silica that can improve the performance
of products in which it is used. It can also drive manufacturing
efficiencies by reducing capital, improving throughput and reducing
volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
In tires, for example, Agilon performance silica can replace
traditional silica-silane in rubber compounds to improve vehicle fuel
efficiency, tire traction and treadwear by as much as 5 to 10 percent.
In industrial rubber applications, the technology can serve as a
higher-performing substitute for conventional precipitated silica,
carbon black and other fillers where the end products require
significant heat dissipation, high tensile strength, improved abrasion
resistance or lower compression set.
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 a reinforcing filler in tire, industrial, footwear and
silicone rubber applications; as microporous filler in battery separator
applications; as a flatting and thickening agent in coating, adhesive
and sealant applications; and as an anti-caking, free-flow and carrier
agent 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 continue to be the world’s leading coatings
and specialty materials company. Through leadership in innovation,
sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial,
transportation, consumer products, and construction 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 demand
growth for Agilon performance silica; 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 the timing of the completion of
the expansion; the ability of PPG Industries’ to achieve the expected
benefits of the 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
and Teslin are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
Source: PPG Industries, Inc.
PPG Corporate Communications
Mark Silvey, 412-434-3046
silvey@ppg.com
or
Investors:
PPG
Investor Relations
Vince Morales, 412-434-3740
vmorales@ppg.com