ZHANGJIAGANG, China – PPG Industries has held a groundbreaking ceremony for its first resin production facility in mainland China at the Zhangjiagang Yangtze International Chemical Industrial Park, Jiangsu Province, Zhangjiagang, China. Resins are key raw materials for paints and coatings, and the Zhangjiagang plant will supply other PPG plants throughout China, as well as automotive and industrial customers.
 
The Zhangjiagang plant will primarily produce water-based electrodeposition resins, which provide a more environmentally responsible alternative to traditional resin products for use in automotive and general industrial coatings. The plant will span 60,000 square meters, and initial production capacity will be 27,000 metric tons. The plant is scheduled to begin operation in early 2011.
 
“The construction of the Zhangjiagang plant continues PPG’s trend of entering developing regions as local market demand expands,” said Viktor R. Sekmakas, President, PPG Asia/Pacific. “PPG was one of the first global coatings companies to invest in China, but today, the majority of resins used in PPG coatings production here are imported. This plant will supply regional PPG coatings plants with key raw materials of consistent quality, more quickly and at lower costs. Also, the central location of the Zhangjiagang industrial park strategically positions this facility to support future PPG growth in China.”
 
PPG currently operates resin facilities in the United States, Europe, Brazil, Australia, South Korea and Mexico.