PPG’S WATERBORNE ANTI-SETTLING TECHNOLOGYMAKES MIXING MACHINES OBSOLETE

For Immediate Release:
May, 2007

PPG Automotive Refinish
19699 Progress Drive
Strongsville, Ohio 44149

Contact:
Calvinia Fields
PPG Automotive Refinish, 19699
Progress Drive, Strongsville, Ohio 4414
(440) 572-2800
cfields@ppg.com

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – May 31, 2007 – Thanks to anti-settling toner technology incorporated into PPG’s new waterborne basecoat systems, collision repair shops making the move to waterborne can do away with a mechanical mixing machine and eliminate a major source of color mismatches, according to PPG.

“One of the primary causes of a ‘mismatch’ is that toners are often not properly agitated on a mixing machine,” says Gareth Hughes, PPG director of technology and global platform marketing. “As a result, the toner’s pigments are not properly distributed throughout the resin and this in turn creates an inaccurate match.

“In comparison, the anti-settling toners used in our Aquabase® Plus and Envirobase® High Performance (HP) basecoat systems do not require mechanical agitation. A simple shake by hand is all that’s required to ensure all the pigments are dispersed evenly and ready to pour.”

How does anti-settling technology work? According to Hughes, the answer lies in the high tech, high viscosity nature of the latex resins used in PPG’s waterborne toners. In their stored state, latex particles in these resins cling together, suspended in a gel-like state. The pigments don’t settle because the viscosity level is so high. To untangle the pigments and disperse them evenly requires only slight agitation by hand.

“Anti-settling technology makes mixing colors particularly fast and easy,” says Doug Beuke, compliant segment manager for PPG Refinish, North America. “No longer do you have to wait 10 minutes for a toner to be stirred. Just shake and pour.”

According to PPG, the benefits of anti-settling toners extend beyond the ability to deliver excellent color consistency. Another key benefit is shelf life. The waterborne toners have a shelf life of no less than four years.

PPG’s anti-settling technology is available only with its PPG EnvirobaseHigh Performance and Nexa Autocolor™ Aquabase Plus waterborne basecoat systems that are being currently being distributed in California and Canada to meet more stringent, low VOC emissions standards.

For more information about PPG’s waterborne basecoat offerings, contact your local PPG or Nexa Autocolor distributor, or contact the PPG Customer Focus Center at 440-572-2800.

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About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company employs more than 30,000 people and has 125 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 20 countries. Sales in 2006 were $11 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York and Philadelphia stock exchanges (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

PPG Automotive Refinish, 19699 Progress Drive, Strongsville, Ohio 44149

Aquabase and Envirobase are registered trademarks of PPG Industries.