News Details

Increased capacity helps meet growing worldwide demand for AGILON performance silica

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PPG (NYSE: PPG) today held a ceremony marking the completion of a project to increase precipitated silica production capacity at its Delfzijl, Netherlands, manufacturing location. The expansion, which came on line earlier this year, adds capacity of more than 15,000 tons per year of advanced precipitated silica products.

The added capacity helps PPG meet growing global demand for AGILON® performance silica products, including fulfilling multiyear global supply agreements with major tire manufacturers.

“This investment here in Delfzijl demonstrates PPG’s continued commitment to our global customers,” said PPG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael McGarry, who spoke at the event. “We worked in partnership with local authorities to expand our capabilities here and deliver growth focused on innovative and sustainable technology.”

Agilon performance silica is a high-value technology platform of chemically-modified precipitated silica that can improve product performance. When used in tires, it helps improve vehicle fuel efficiency, tire traction and treadwear by as much as 5 to 10 percent. Agilon performance silica also provides environmental and manufacturing benefits by improving throughput, and by reducing capital expenditure, energy usage and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.

“Demand for Agilon performance silica is growing globally as more of our customers successfully commercialize products using this technology,” said Anup Jain, PPG vice president, specialty coatings and materials. “We are excited about the expansion and to have increased flexibility for producing both conventional precipitated silica and Agilon silica.”

PPG pioneered synthetic precipitated silica, becoming one of the first manufacturers to bring it 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: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $14.8 billion in 2015. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

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’s 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 and the 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 to achieve the expected benefits of the expansion; and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in PPG’s 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 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.

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and Agilon and the PPG Logo are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

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PPG Media Contact:
Mark Silvey, Corporate Communications, +1 412-434-3046
silvey@ppg.com
or
PPG Investor Contact:
Scott Minder, Investor Relations, +1 412-434-3466
sminder@ppg.com
investor.ppg.com

Source: PPG