2023 ESG Report


Sustainability is core to PPG's purpose: We Protect and Beautify the World®.

From supporting social wellbeing, to contributing to the circular economy, and developing products and processes that help mitigate climate change and solve our customers' biggest challenges, PPG's sustainability commitments contribute to the positive impact we achieve through our purpose, and ultimately support the long-term growth of our organization.

Read on for highlights from 2023.

Peter Votruba-Drzal, vice president-elect, global sustainability

Sustainability as a strategic business priority

Hear from Peter Votruba-Drzal, vice president-elect, global sustainability, to learn more about how PPG has integrated sustainability as a key business priority.

Our 2030 sustainability targets

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). Our targets, which cover scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, align our emissions reduction activities with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Two colleagues discussing paperwork next to color swatch map
Spraying PPG sustainable yellow coating onto parts in a spray booth

Supporting customers' sustainability ambitions

PPG's ENVIROPRIME™ EPIC300 line of electrocoat products cure at a lower temperature and require less process time than conventional electrocoat products, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coatings application in the automotive original equipment manufacturing process.

View of PPG plant containing pipework and buildings
Environmental efficiency
At our Shenyang facility in China, the operations team installed a new heat recovery system to re-route clean hot water back into the water tank, which was previously being discharged to the local sewer system. They also installed a high precision steam regulating valve to improve the overall efficiency of our steam system. These adjustments are projected to save 5,000 metric tons of steam, 800 MT in operational GHG emissions and 10,000 m3 of water withdrawals annually.
COMEX® TOP™ Impertop S paint can
Circularity
The Comex brand by PPG is contributing to plastic circularity through its TOP line of products that leverage both circularity and provide sustainable advantages. In 2023, the TOP Impertop S asphalt waterproofing product launched, which is reinforced with recycled polyethylene from plastic bags. Our Comex team has already recycled more than 42 tons of plastic in Impertop S.
PPG employees discussing engagement whilst looking at computer screens
Employee engagement
Our 2023 Employee Voice survey showed a higher level of employee engagement than any year prior. PPG's employee engagement score has improved across every category that Gallup measures, and our overall score increased at a rate 30% higher than the industry average.
Volunteer painting mural as part of PPG Colorful Communities day
Community engagement
PPG and the PPG Foundation are focused on inspiring and supporting young people with an interest in STEM. In 2023, we partnered with VědaFest, or ScienceFest, the largest open-air science event in Czechia, to offer interactive experiments, hands-on activities and demonstrations to hundreds of students.