Expansions: PPG’s new coatings plant in Germany; Ampacet doubles colour capacity in Luxembourg

Chemical firm PPG says it has started up expanded automotive OEM clearcoat production at its facility in Erlenbach, Germany. The EUR3 million project nearly doubles the site’s capacity for premium clearcoats and uses advanced manufacturing technology to improve operational efficiency, sustainability and flexibility compared to conventional processes.

“This is an important investment that ensures we will continue to meet the growing regional demand for our premium clearcoats, which offer the world-class finish with superior appearance and durability that our customers demand,” said Roald Johannsen, PPG vice president, automotive OEM coatings, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Using advanced manufacturing technology also gives us increased flexibility to produce different products in multiple batch sizes in the most sustainable way.”

PPG acquired the Erlenbach site from Hemmelrath in 2019 to enhance its automotive coatings offering and add formulating and manufacturing capability. The new clearcoat facility uses a fully automated, sustainable production process that boasts shorter and faster manufacturing times and flexible manufacturing of multiple batch sizes of up to 25 metric tonnes, it adds.

“This investment makes our Erlenbach facility a centre of excellence for clearcoats, using best-in-class technologies to deliver superior scratch- and chemical-resistant coatings that are highly durable,” Johannsen said. “It will further strengthen our position as a leading manufacturer of the most advanced and innovative clearcoats that are capable of meeting or exceeding the most demanding OEM quality and performance specifications.”

Meanwhile in other news, US-based masterbatch maker Ampacet is doubling its production capacity with the addition of new colour production lines in Dudelange, Luxembourg.

The new facility in Dudelange currently houses Ampacet’s European headquarters, the Color Centre of Excellence and a R&D laboratory. Ampacet opened new colour production lines in Dudelange, Luxembourg in 2017 and added two colour production lines there in 2019.

The investment, part of Ampacet’s strategy of continuous improvement of the overall customer experience, will reduce lead times and offer additional product delivery flexibility. Recent Ampacet investments include the Ideation Centre in Dudelange, a creative environment enabling customers to go from concept to creation using Ampacet’s innovative color effects and sustainable solutions technologies for a variety of applications.

“The European strategy to improve customer satisfaction is bearing fruit. Our five-year plan has been successfully completed and we are now starting the next one. This colour investment is part of the overall strategy to better respond to customers’ needs with respect to both quality and service,” said Marcello Bergamo, Ampacet Europe Managing Director.

The new lines will create 25 new jobs; Ampacet Europe currently employs 526 people, including 211 in Dudelange.

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