Steelcase, a global leading designer and manufacturer of innovative workspace furniture and solutions, is one of PPG’s largest buyers of protective powder coatings and has been for decades. But the value of this partnership goes beyond a supplier and customer relationship. The two organizations are both guided by business practices rooted in sustainability.
PPG Recognized by Key Industry Partner for Carbon Reduction Efforts
In response to rising concerns about the climate crisis, Steelcase established ambitious carbon reduction targets and achieved carbon-neutral operations. But they are striving to move beyond neutrality and are on track to cut their carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.
Beyond their own initiatives, Steelcase recognized that collective efforts throughout their entire supply chain were required to address the most pressing environmental challenges.
“We were the first in our industry to set ambitious science-based targets and to become carbon neutral in our operations,” said Derek Ludwig, Steelcase vice president and chief procurement officer. “Because we know that addressing climate change requires collective action, we count our suppliers among our most important partners.”
In 2020, Steelcase took on a leadership role within the industry through a new program that encouraged suppliers to establish their own science-based carbon reduction targets by 2025.
At their Suppliers Forum in May, Steelcase named PPG as a 2024 Carbon Reduction Leader. During the virtual meeting, Steelcase recognized that PPG has already exceeded its key performance metrics on this front due to the company’s own long-standing carbon-focused initiatives.
In 2023, PPG became the first U.S.-based coatings manufacturer to have science-based greenhouse gas emissions targets validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). PPG’s targets, which cover scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions reduction activities are aligned with rigorous goals established by the Paris Agreement.
PPG is striving to achieve the following sustainability targets by 2030:
- 50% of sales from sustainably advantaged products
- 25% reduction in waste intensity
- 15% reduction in water intensity at priority sites in water-stressed communities
- 50% reduction in GHG emissions from our own operations (scope 1 and 2), validated by SBTi
- 30% reduction in GHG emissions in our value chain (scope 3), validated by SBTi
“It’s an honor to partner with an organization like Steelcase, a company that shares our values and our commitment to sustainability practices to help address the complex and global climate change challenges,” said Michael Stucky, PPG global customer sustainability business partner for Industrial Coatings.
Steelcase’s efforts to prioritize carbon reduction has not gone unnoticed. Steelcase is the only organization in the industry to earn a top score of A- from the CDP, formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project.
PPG Sustainably Advantaged Coating Solutions
As a leading powder coating supplier for metal office furniture, storage and locker system manufacturers, PPG continually works to engineer products that are formulated with fewer chemicals of concern yet provide the same, or better, coverage, quality and performance.
PPG's advanced coatings are designed to meet the industry's rigorous standards while also addressing growing environmental concerns, including minimizing volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
In 2021, PPG launched ERGOLUXE™ coating, a polyester-epoxy hybrid powder for seating solutions, desks, cabinets and more, followed by the next generation of Ergoluxe powder that contained up to 14% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET).
In response to the metal office furniture industry leading the charge for solutions formulated with fewer PFAS chemicals, PPG announced new ERGOLUXE formulations that are made without intentionally added PTFE, one of the most widely used PFAS compounds, for both smooth and textured finishes, a breakthrough in the industry.
This new generation of protective power coatings is virtually indistinguishable in performance from the original formulation in terms of hardness, flexibility, durability, as well as stain-, scratch- and fade-resistance.
Through its powder coatings for the furniture industry partners like Steelcase, PPG will continue to explore ways to lower carbon footprints, reduce water, energy and waste, and utilize more renewable energy sources.
By consistently adapting and advancing product offerings, PPG demonstrates a commitment to both environmental responsibility and industry excellence, ensuring that our solutions are at the forefront of sustainable development.