Joint Venture Expands PPG's Paint Film Solutions Portfolio

Through a joint venture formed with Entrotech Inc., a provider of technology-driven film solutions, PPG is expanding its paint and clear film solutions for automotive and industrial customers. PPG retains a majority stake in the venture, named PPG Advanced Surface Technologies.

Paint films are multilayer applications in which at least one layer is made from paint. They provide a range of environmental benefits, including lower energy consumption, as well as aesthetic options. The technology is used for automotive applications and has potential applications across a range of industrial end uses.

“This joint venture will position our portfolio of paint films products for accelerated commercialization, offering customers innovative products with high performance and significant sustainability benefits,” says Tim Knavish, PPG president and chief executive officer. “This venture will be positioned for rapid global expansion aligned to PPG’s portfolio.”

PPG established its paint films capabilities in 2021 with the acquisition of Wörwag, a Germany-based coatings supplier that provides film products for a variety of automotive parts and panels. PPG Wörwag film assets and the automotive films business of Entrotech will contribute to the venture.

The automotive films portfolio of Entrotech includes automotive clear, protective films and the Aero Sustainable Material Technology line of paint films. The company’s technologies were originally developed in 2007 to meet demanding requirements of motorsports and other applications.

In 2019, Aero films were first used on commercial automotive vehicle exteriors. Since then, the company has developed the technology for potential use in commercial transportation, marine, construction and other areas in which PPG operates.

“We are excited to join the global PPG family through this joint venture,” says Jim McGuire, Entrotech founder and CEO. “This agreement builds on a long collaboration, as we use PPG paint products to create our paint films. We look forward to expanding our reach globally with the PPG paint films team through this partnership.”