PPG announced a $44 million investment to upgrade five powder coating manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Latin America. The projects are part of PPG’s strategic efforts to expand its powder coatings offerings and increase global production to meet growing customer demand for sustainably advantaged products, the company says.

Collectively, the investment – $30 million for U.S. plants and $14 million for facilities in Latin America – is expected to increase overall capacity, add production capabilities for bonded metallic powders, improve processing times with automated packaging, and enhance capabilities to produce small, medium and large batches, according to PPG.

Enhancements and expansions are already completed or under way at powder production facilities in Brazil, Ind., Gainesville, Texas; Greensboro, N.C.; San Juan del Rio, Mexico; and Sumaré, Brazil. PPG expects to complete these total projects by the fourth quarter of 2023.

Since 2019, PPG says it has focused on growing its powder coatings capacity and capabilities, making four strategic acquisitions and expanding production and service elements at seven sites across the globe. A key factor driving the rapid adoption of powder coatings is the growing interest in more sustainable solutions. Powder coatings are generally formulated without solvents that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and in the application line, these coatings can be reclaimed and reused.