PPG Industries is a global supplier of coatings, continuous-strand fibreglass, flat and fabricated glass and chemicals. PPG claims to be the world's largest producer of transportation coatings and a leading maker of industrial and packaging coatings, aircraft transparencies, flat and fabricated glass, continuous-strand fibre glass, chloralkali and specialty chemicals, and architectural coatings. 
The company is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US. It has around 125 manufacturing facilities and employs around 44,900 (2008) people worldwide.
History
The company was founded in 1883.
Company movements
In October 2008, PPG Industries completed the $330m sale of its automotive glass business to Kohlberg & Co. PPG will maintain a 40% stake in the business.
In July 2008, PPG Industries acquired coatings firm Vanex for an undisclosed sum.
SigmaKalon
SigmaKalon produces architectural, protective, marine and industrial coatings. The company operates 22 major manufacturing facilities across Europe and other key markets across the world.
PPG Industries has agreed to buy Brown Brothers, the refinish-paint subsidiary of Unipart Automotive, a UK supplier of aftermarket car parts. PPG did not disclose financial terms.
PPG is organised into a number of strategic business units:
Aerospace
A global supplier of sealants, coatings, application systems. It claims to be the world's leading supplier of cockpit transparencies, serving original equipment manufacturers and the maintenance market for the commercial, military and general aviation industries. Also manufactures sealants for architectural insulating glass units. This division consists of two segments, Glass Sealants and Packaging and Application Systems.
Architectural Coatings
Under the Pittsburgh Paints, Olympic, Porter, Monarch, Lucite and Pittsburgh HPC (High Performance Coatings) brands, this unit produces paints, stains and specialty coatings for commercial, maintenance and residential uses. This division consists of three segments: Commercial Paints & Stains, High Performance Coatings and Residential Paints & Stains.
Architectural coatings EMEA
This segment is made up of the acquired business operations of SigmaKalon and produces architectural, protective, marine and industrial coatings. The company operates 22 major manufacturing facilities across Europe and other key markets across the world.
Automotive Coatings
This unit provides protective and decorative coatings and services to automobile and truck manufacturers. Products include primers, base coats, top coats, pre-treatment chemicals, adhesives and sealants.
Automotive Refinish
This unit produces a full line of coatings products for automotive repair and refurbishing and speciality coatings for sign and fleet markets. Also responsible for Certified First Network in auto body repair market.
Chlor-Alkali and Derivatives
This unit claims to be a world leader in the production of chlorine, caustic soda and related chemicals for use in chemical manufacturing, pulp and paper production, water treatment, plastics production and other products.
Fibre Glass
This division is split into two segments: Electronics & Speciality Materials and Reinforcements. The former produces fibreglass yarn for use as reinforced composites in electronics, especially printed circuit boards. Its specialty materials are used in applications, such as medical casts, tapes, thermal insulators, insect screening and other building products. The latter produces fibreglass used as a reinforcing agent in thermoset and thermoplastic composite applications. End products include recreational boats, shower units, whirlpools and auto parts.
Performance Glazings
Produces performance glazings that are fabricated into products primarily for the residential and commercial construction markets, as well as the appliance, mirror and transportation industries.
Industrial Coatings
This unit claims to be a leading global supplier of a wide variety of coatings for markets including agricultural construction equipment, automotive parts and accessories, appliance, coil, aluminium extrusion, packaging, wood flooring, and recreation purposes.
Optical Products
This unit produces optical monomers, photochromic dyes, Transitions photochromic ophthalmic plastic eyewear and Trivex lens material.
Packaging Coatings
This is a global supplier of coatings, inks, compounds and chemicals for metal and plastic containers for the food, beverage, general line and specialty packaging industries.
Silicas
Silica Products produces more than 100 varieties of amorphous silicas used as free-flow agents in products such as salt, reinforcing agents in tyres and other rubber products, abrasives in toothpaste and flatting agents in paints. It also manufactures Teslin synthetic printing sheet.