Coatings World - August 2015

PPG Industries has announced its progress toward achieving its 2020 sustainability goals, which are outlined in the company’s 2014 Corporate Sustainability Report.

In 2014, the company increased energy efficiency and improved employee safety, health and well-being. The company also achieved 27 percent of its sales from sustainable products during the year, increasing from 21 percent in 2013.

“Sustainable innovation has driven
PPG’s research and development port-
folio throughout our history,” said
Charles F. Kahle II, PPG chief technol-
ogy officer and vice president of coat-
ings research and development. “Our
customers are seeking coatings prod-
ucts that address a variety of sustain-
ability considerations. From the very
beginning, we’ve been positioned to
find solutions that make customers’
lives easier and benefit the environment
at the same time.”
In addition to growth in sustain-
able-product sales, the company noted
progress toward achieving its 2020 sus-
tainability goals such as:
• Reducing energy intensity by 15 per-
cent since 2012.

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 12 percent since 2012.

• Reducing its illness-and-injury rate by 17 percent since 2012, including a 5 percent decrease in the injury-and-illness rate since 2013.

•Implementing wellness programs at more than 85 percent of PPG manufacturing facilities by the end of 2014, a 10 percent increase over 2013.

• Implementing the company’s community engagement framework at more than 52 percent of PPG sites, increasing from 48 percent in 2013.

• Distributing more than $5.7 million in charitable contributions in 2014.

Axalta Coating Systems
Wins Australian Defence
Force Contract

Australia operations of Axalta Coating Systems has signed an agreement with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia (RMMVA) to provide coating products for more than 2,500 Australian military logistic vehicles being produced as part of the Australian government’s LAND 121 Phase 3B Defence Project. Rheinmetall is a global leader in the supply of military vehicles. The agreement was reached based on Axalta’s capability to develop and manufacture specific end-use coatings required especially by the project.

“This is the first defense contract of
such magnitude for Axalta and signals
another important step in our company’s
growth strategy,” explained Sobers Sethi,
vice president for Axalta’s South and East
Asia region. “Backed by a century and a
half of product innovation and thought
leadership, Axalta is well-placed to meet
the critical needs of this important project
and we look forward to a strong working
partnership with RMMVA.”
To win the bid, Axalta demonstrated
its ability to develop customized prod-
uct solutions for this highly specialized
market. In addition to providing special
end-use coatings, Axalta’s technology
includes application techniques designed
to improve cycle times and coating pro-
ductivity. Under the contract, Axalta will
provide the entire supply chain from pro-
duction and supply of coatings as well
as warehousing and distribution within
Australia and also will provide technical
support to optimize application.

“The agreement with Axalta Coating
Systems Australia showcases RMMVA’s
ongoing commitment in engaging com-
mercial companies to support the de-
fense industry sector,” said RMMVA
managing director Peter Hardisty. “This
partnership creates cost efficiencies for
the entire program.”
Axalta will produce in Australia and
export the full suite of components for the
paint, which includes hardeners, thinners,
primers and the different colors required
for the camouflage pattern. All coating
products comply with the Australian
Paint Approval Scheme (APAS) and will
be produced in Australia, generating flow-
on benefits into the Australian economy
through localized trade and employment.

LAND 121 Phase 3 was established to replace the current fleet of Australian Defence Force (ADF) field vehicles, modules and trailers and will enhance the ground mobility of the ADF. RMMVA signed the Land 121 Phase 3B contract in 2013 to supply the Commonwealth of Australia with more than 2,500 medium and heavy military logistical trucks, all of which must be pre-treated and painted with APAS certified paint.

Axalta Introduces Innovative Digital Color Measuring Device in Korea Axalta Coating Systems has introduced the latest digital spectrophotometer, the Acquire Plus EFX for car refinish body shops in Korean market.

About 30,000 digital spectrophotometers are in use by Axalta customers around the world. Now this most advanced spectrophotometer in the global market is being introduced to refinish bodyshops in Korea.

The handheld digital color-measuring device enables body shops to achieve the best possible color match quickly, reli-ably and efficiently. As a result, the risk to refinishers of costly re-work due to a poor color match can be greatly reduced. This technology is designed to make the refinisher’s jobs easier by speeding up the repair process and thus help bodyshops be more efficient.