PPG announced the launch of a cleaning solvent recycling project in partnership with SAIC General Motors. The initiative, introduced at the 2025 CARES Conference in Suzhou, China, establishes a circular economy model for solvents used in automotive painting. The process enables the reuse of up to 80% by weight of waste solvents collected in OEM paint shops, marking a significant step forward in sustainable automotive manufacturing.

The project employs advanced distillation and purification technology to separate valuable components from waste solvents, repurposing them as raw materials for coatings or as reclaimed solvents. This closed-loop approach provides a more sustainable alternative to traditional disposal methods, which typically involve incineration and result in high CO2 emissions. Compared with conventional recycling, the new process also greatly reduces the amount of hazardous waste requiring disposal.

Through this joint initiative, PPG and SAIC General Motors expect to recycle more than 430 tons of waste solvents annually, improving resource efficiency and environmental performance across the automotive value chain. The technology received the 2025 Responsible Care Sustainability Initiative Award from the Association of International Chemical Manufacturers in China.

“At SAIC General Motors, we’re committed to working hand-in-hand with our supplier partners to drive innovation in sustainable solutions,” said Xu Xinghu, painting process engineering manager at SAIC General Motors. “Through collaboration, we aim to unlock new possibilities and make meaningful progress toward our shared environmental goals.”

“PPG continues to lead the industry with innovations such as precision application, 4-Wet sealants process technology, expanded bake electrocoats and heavy-metal-free solutions,” said Tony Gu, PPG product engineering director, Automotive Coatings Asia. “These technologies help automakers reduce carbon emissions, minimize waste and improve efficiency while meeting stringent environmental standards.”

PPG’s collaboration with SAIC General Motors reinforces its focus on sustainability and the circular economy, demonstrating how technical innovation can deliver both environmental and operational benefits for the coatings industry.

Learn more about sustainability and resource recovery in Industrial Coatings.