PPG Industries opens research center in Suzhou

Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG) Industries, a leading U.S. plate glass and coating producer, opened its research center in Suzhou city, Jiangsu Province today, Shanghai Daily reported.

The Pennsylvania-headquartered company has invested US$5 million in the center, which will focus on the research and development of environment-friendly coatings.

PPG's sales in China rose 60% last year and grew 45% in the Asia-Pacific region, company officials yesterday.

In May, the company has begun construction on its eighth manufacturing plant in China, which is located in Wuhu, Anhui province, to supply coatings to Chery, a Chinese automobile manufacturer.

The new factory will begin operation on Jan. 1, 2008, and its output is expected to meet the demand for paint by one million Chery cars.

PPG's seven other factories in China provide auto paints to BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, General Motor, Dongfeng Citroen and Hainan Mazda.

PPG is a world's leading company in coatings and specialty products with 125 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates around the world.