As part of its continued commitment to sustainable practices, PPG Industries has announced it has set a goal to reduce its total energy intensity by 25 percent from 2006 to 2016 and its total global greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent from 2006 to 2011.

PPG previously committed to reducing its GHG emission intensity from sources in the United States by 18 percent by 2012 from a 2002 baseline. It achieved this mark in 2006, six years earlier than the projected date.

In addition to taking action to reduce emissions, PPG continues to improve its energy efficiency. The company has reduced its energy use by just over 1 percent annually for the last five years, saving about $40 million overall, and meeting its new energy savings goal would realize a savings of $15 to $20 million a year at today's energy prices.

Throughout its operations, PPG actively pursues initiatives that support regional sourcing, reduce the environmental impact of packaging, make products easier to recycle or dispose of, and encourage the use of alternative energy.

In addition to reducing its own energy-related costs and impacts, PPG makes products that help commercial builders and homeowners to conserve energy. PPG EcoLogical Building Solutions, a line of environmentally-progressive building products, includes a wide range of energy-efficient coated and tinted glasses for commercial and residential construction as well as Energy Star- and volatile organic compound-compliant, high-performance coatings and paints.

For example, Solarban 70XL glass by PPG can help cut energy use and significantly reduce a building’s energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Software provided by the U.S. Department of Energy showed the use of Solarban 70XL glass for dual-pane, tinted glass in a standard, window-walled, eight-story office building could reduce annual CO2 emissions by more than 500 tons, or more than 20,000 tons over the building’s life cycle – equivalent to removing more than 4,000 passenger cars from the road each year.

Duranar SPF coatings by PPG help buildings weather the elements, brightening metal roofs and increasing reflection of the sun’s infrared radiation. The IR reflection helps cool the building, in turn reducing air conditioning costs for commercial and residential construction and increasing comfort levels for building occupants. Duranar SPF coatings meet Energy Star reflective roof requirements.

In support of its operational and product efforts, PPG is active in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Climate Leaders program and was recently recognized by the EPA for setting new GHG emission reduction goals.

PPG is also an Energy Star Partner, supporting the joint program of the EPA and DOE by using energy-management systems to measure energy utilization throughout its processes and setting specific goals and action plans to meet energy-reduction goals. In addition, PPG is a member of the Alliance to Save Energy, a national coalition of companies that promotes energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security.

Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company employs more than 34,000 people and has 125 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 25 countries.

12/21/2007