program helps to improve the
lives of disadvantaged children
by providing a structure to help
them through school and pre-
pare them for the future.”
Bueno acknowledges that it may take
time for Jotun to grow the business in
Brazil, but is confident that the new fac-
tory will help Jotun strengthen its brand –
not only in Brazil, but in South America.
“This factory represents a genuine mile-
stone in Jotun’s development, and an-
other important step in our remarkable
global growth story,” he said.
PPG Begins Using Chloride-
Based TiO2 from Henan
Billions in Coatings
Production
PPG Industries has announced it has
begun using chloride-grade titanium dioxide (TiO2) produced in commercial
quantities by Henan Billions Chemicals
Co., Ltd., including PPG’s licensed chlo-ride-based technology. PPG is using the
TiO2 to produce standard grades of its
coatings products.
The 366,000-square-meter plant that
produced the chloride-grade TiO2 is located in the Henan Province of China
and currently has capacity to produce
100,000 metric tons of chloride-grade
TiO2 per year with the capability to expand. Under an agreement established
in 2012, PPG licensed certain chloride-based technologies for the manufacture
of TiO2 to Henan Billions for use on
a global basis. PPG has supported the
startup of Henan Billions’ new chloride
process plant with quality and process
improvements, analytical testing support and product evaluations. PPG
also may license its technology to other
TiO2 producers.
TiO2 is an important raw material
widely used by PPG and other paint and
coatings manufacturers as a pigment to
provide hiding, durability and whiteness
characteristics.
“Our partnership with Henan
Billions exemplifies PPG’s commitment
to securing high-quality supplies of titanium dioxide required to support
our business growth,” said Michael
H. McGarry, PPG president and CEO.
“This latest accomplishment with our
strategic partner Henan Billions is a
milestone in our relationship.”
Behr Named Top Workplace
in OC Area
For the eighth year in a row, Behr Process
Corporation has been awarded a 2015
Top Workplaces honor by the Orange
County Register. The Top Workplaces
lists are based solely on the results of
an employee feedback survey administered by WorkplaceDynamics, LLC, a
leading research firm that specializes in
organizational health and workplace
improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture were measured, including
Alignment, Execution, and Connection,
just to name a few.
“The Top Workplaces award is not
a popularity contest. And oftentimes,
people assume it’s all about fancy perks
and benefits,” said Doug Claffey, CEO of
WorkplaceDynamics. “But to be a Top
Workplace, organizations must meet our
strict standards for organizational health.
And who better to ask about work life
than the people who live the culture ev-
ery day—the employees. Time and time
again, our research has proven that what’s
most important to them is a strong belief
in where the organization is headed, how
it’s going to get there, and the feeling that
everyone is in it together. Claffey adds,
“Without this sense of connection, an
organization doesn’t have a shot at being
named a Top Workplace.”
Behr ranked ninth out of 125 com-
panies selected for this award, making it
the top-ranked manufacturing company
in Orange County, California. The com-
pany is proud to offer its team members a
satisfying, rewarding work environment,
with a focus on fostering growth, making
a difference and “doing the right thing.”
Surveyed team members shared feedback
such as, “I am challenged every day,” and
“I’m empowered to make a positive influ-
ence on the business.”
“This award is especially meaningful
because it comes from our team mem-
bers,” said Jeff Filley, president, Behr
Process Corporation. “We thank our
hardworking team for their contributions
to our business and culture, and for their
unwavering commitment to quality, inno-
vation, value and performance. They are
truly the backbone of Behr’s success.”
PPG Asian Paints Launches
First Waterborne
Automotive Refinish Paint
in Sri Lanka
PPG Asian Paints Lanka Ltd. announced
the launch in Sri Lanka of ENVIROBASE
High Performance (HP) automotive refinish paints – the first eco-friendly waterborne automotive paints introduced in
Sri Lanka for use by the refinishing industry. Prestige Automobiles (Pvt) Ltd. is
the first PPG Asian Paints customer in Sri
Lanka to convert to using the waterborne
products in its operation.
With low volatile organic compound
(VOC) levels that comply with increasingly strict limits in many countries,
waterborne coatings now protect and
beautify most new vehicles produced
around the world. The Envirobase HP
line is the leading premium waterborne
basecoat refinishing system globally, according to Biju Ramachandran Nair,
country manager for PPG Asian Paints,
and introducing these paints in Sri Lanka
will enable local refinishers to use the latest technology that is approved by most
of the world’s leading automotive brands.
“Water-based coatings contain less
hazardous content than do traditional
paint products, providing better air quality for users, and easy and safe storage
and disposal,” Nair said. “Along with
these benefits, Envirobase HP coatings
also offer industry-leading colour-match
accuracy and are easy to apply, ensuring consistent colour delivery from mix
to mix and across vehicle panels.” Nair
added that the excellent coverage of the
Envirobase HP system requires painters to use less quantity of the product to
achieve a high-quality finish. “So along
with being a healthier option, the fast
throughput with this system offers shops
an additional benefit,” Nair said.
“Through a close working relationship with our paint supplier, we have
upgraded and modified our equipment
to use this new water-based paint process,” said Volker Arnkens, director - after sales, Prestige Automobiles (Pvt) Ltd.
