PPG

US-based company PPG Industries (PPG) has expanded development and technical service capabilities for aerospace coatings at its facility in Shildon, UK, with an investment of $2m.

The expansion, which includes installation of advanced technology equipment for evaluating paint characteristics, will also serve the military sector.

It also includes environmentally controlled spray booths and a suite of complementary rooms in order to enable the site to streamline new product launches and produce more exact colour matches.

"These new capabilities enable us to simulate different environmental conditions that could be encountered by our customers."

The two new paint spray booths and a viewing gallery are located in a two-story, 3,400ft² expansion, and the testing laboratory and related rooms replace the former spray booth space.

PPG noted that one paint spray booth, which can accommodate an aircraft section or small military vehicle, provides variable temperature and humidity settings for product development and training.

The second paint spray booth, which sustains constant temperature and relative humidity settings, is designed for applying coatings to panels for customer colour match requests.

An expanded testing laboratory also includes a dedicated colour mixing area and constant temperature and humidity settings.

With new sanding, drying and oven rooms, PPG will now be able to provide full range of application processing from preparation to drying in controlled environments.

PPG technical manager Peter Wind said: "With colour being used more in airline liveries and on business aircraft, PPG customers will be able to see more precisely how we can make their vision a reality.

"PPG aerospace and military coatings are designed for global application and service."

The company’s global aerospace business provides coatings, sealants, transparencies, packaging and application systems, and transparent armour, as well as chemical management and other services.

Wind also added: "These new capabilities enable us to simulate different environmental conditions that could be encountered by our customers anywhere in the world, from Dubai, where summers are hot and dry, to humid Singapore and even Russia, where a maintenance and repair operation might apply our products in damp, cold conditions.

"As we develop coatings that have new characteristics, we will be able to streamline their launch."

PPG also opened a liquid coatings application development centre at its Oak Creek, Wisconsin, US plant, with an investment of $3m.

Image: The expansion includes installation of advanced technology equipment. Photo: courtesy of PPG Industries.