PPG, IPG Photonics, Whirlpool team up to accelerate commercialization of transformative laser-based powder curing
MWN-AI** Summary
PPG (NYSE:PPG) has announced a significant collaboration with IPG Photonics and Whirlpool Corporation to expedite the commercialization of advanced laser curing systems for powder coatings. This partnership aims to identify ways to lower curing costs, enhance finishing line speeds, and minimize environmental impacts associated with traditional curing processes.
At the forefront of this initiative is the installation of a state-of-the-art pilot finishing line featuring IPG’s PhotoniCURE™ laser curing system at PPG's technical facility in Strongsville, Ohio. Unlike conventional thermal techniques, laser curing utilizes infrared (IR) light to rapidly initiate crosslinking, transforming powder particles into durable finishes in a matter of minutes. This method not only elevates efficiency but also results in substantial energy savings due to reduced heat requirements and improved throughput.
David Bem, PPG's senior vice president, emphasized that this collaboration marks a pivotal advancement in the coatings sector, reinforcing PPG's commitment to innovation and sustainable practices. The trials conducted will evaluate various powder formulations for Whirlpool’s appliance components, with potential availability for broader customer integration.
Scot Blommel from Whirlpool highlighted the importance of this technology in mitigating energy consumption within industrial processes, stating that the trials will be crucial in optimizing these capabilities to boost productivity while minimizing environmental footprints.
IPG Photonics views this collaboration as a major step toward expanding laser solutions within mainstream manufacturing, anticipating increased demand for PhotoniCURE systems. PPG’s investments in sustainable practices, including radiation-curable technologies and eco-friendly powder solutions, reinforce the company’s commitment to protecting and beautifying the world.
This partnership reflects a shared vision of driving innovation while addressing environmental concerns within the manufacturing landscape.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent collaboration between PPG (NYSE: PPG), IPG Photonics, and Whirlpool Corporation marks a promising advancement in laser curing technology for powder coatings, with significant implications for the coatings industry. This initiative aims to enhance productivity while reducing costs and environmental impacts, capitalizing on laser curing's efficiency over traditional thermal processes.
Investors should take note of several critical factors stemming from this partnership. First, the integration of IPG's PhotoniCURE™ laser curing system in PPG's operations emphasizes a shift towards more sustainable and economically viable manufacturing practices. The ability to cure powder coatings in minutes, utilizing less energy and producing less waste, aligns with growing trends favoring sustainability in industrial manufacturing. This positions PPG favorably within a market increasingly pressured by environmental regulations and the demand for greener solutions.
Moreover, PPG's extensive global footprint, bolstered by significant investments in innovation, enhances its capability to scale this technology effectively. The pilot trials being conducted for Whirlpool, coupled with the potential for broader customer adoption, suggest a pathway for robust revenue growth, further strengthening PPG’s market position.
Furthermore, as IPG Photonics focuses on expanding its laser solutions into mainstream applications, this collaboration could drive demand for laser curing systems in numerous manufacturing sectors. By proving the efficacy of this technology in high-volume settings, both PPG and IPG could significantly capitalize on emerging market needs.
In summary, PPG shares could be a strategic addition to your portfolio, particularly as the company continues to innovate and respond to market trends favoring sustainability and efficiency. Monitoring the results of the pilot trials and broader market reception will be crucial for assessing future performance, but the outlook appears promising for these industry leaders in coatings technology.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Technology provides faster, more energy-efficient curing than conventional processes
PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced a collaboration with IPG Photonics, the world leader in fiber laser technology, and Whirlpool Corporation, a leading home appliance company, to accelerate the broad-scale commercialization of laser curing systems for powder coatings. The focus is on identifying opportunities to reduce curing costs and environmental impact while increasing finishing line speed.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260302671542/en/
PPG announced the installation of a state-of-the-art pilot finishing line that features IPG’s PhotoniCURE™ laser curing system at its powder manufacturing and technical facility in Strongsville, Ohio.
Unlike conventional thermal curing, laser curing uses infrared (IR) light to initiate crosslinking, the chemical reaction that transforms powder particles into a durable protective finish. It is compatible with both standard powder chemistries and those optimized for laser curing and cures in minutes, a fraction of the time required by traditional thermal processes and more efficient than conventional IR curing systems. This leads to meaningful energy savings through lower heat requirements and higher throughput.
“This collaboration, which represents a significant advancement in the coatings industry, positions us at the leading edge of powder finishing, highlights the strength of our partnership driven customer approach and reinforces our commitment to outside-the-can capabilities that bring value beyond our coatings,” said David Bem, PPG senior vice president, science and technology and chief technology officer.
PPG announced the installation of a state-of-the-art pilot finishing line that features IPG’s PhotoniCURE™ laser curing system at its powder manufacturing and technical facility in Strongsville, Ohio, and a laboratory system for research feasibility studies at the PPG Coatings Innovation Center near Pittsburgh.
The company has begun conducting pilot trials for Whirlpool Corporation that evaluate various powder formulations cured with the PhotoniCURE laser system across a range of appliance components. The process will soon be available to other customers.
“Industrial manufacturing finishing processes are incredibly energy intensive, and we are excited to participate with PPG in the development of laser-curing capabilities,” said Scot Blommel, Whirlpool Corporation global sustainability senior manager. “These trials will be critical in helping to determine how to best maximize this technology to reduce our environmental impact, enhance productivity and reduce our energy costs.”
As the laser industry leader, IPG sees powder coating as another opportunity to expand laser solutions into mainstream manufacturing. “We anticipate demand for PhotoniCURE systems to take hold in the coatings industry as our joint value proposition with PPG is proven in volume manufacturing, aided by intensifying trends towards sustainable manufacturing practices,” said Mira Sahney, IPG global laser systems senior vice president. “Our collaboration with PPG and Whirlpool is a huge step towards advancing our pioneering solution.”
Sustainability is core to PPG’s purpose, and a key enabler that supports the company’s growth strategy. That commitment is reflected in major investments in radiation curable technologies as well as powder solutions formulated with recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) and without PFAS, and which cure with less heat and produce less waste.
PPG has significantly expanded its powder coating portfolio and manufacturing capabilities in recent years. It has an expansive global footprint, with 21 powder manufacturing plants, seven plants with bonding capabilities, a powder resin plant, a research and development center and a Global Center of Excellence.
To learn more about PPG’s laser curing capabilities for powder coatings, visit our website .
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®
At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty products that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we market and sell in more than 50 countries and reported net sales of $15.9 billion in 2025. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com .
The PPG Logo and We protect and beautify the world are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
PhotoniCURE is a trademark of IPG Photonics Corporation.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260302671542/en/
PPG Media Contact:
Alicia Cafardi
Industrial Coatings
+1 412-510-1907
acafardi@ppg.com
www.ppg.com/industrialcoatings
FAQ**
How does the collaboration between PPG, IPG Photonics, and Whirlpool Corporation specifically target opportunities for cost reduction and energy efficiency in curing processes, and what role does WeWork Inc. Class A WE play in this strategic initiative?
What benefits does PPG anticipate from the PhotoniCURE laser curing system over traditional methods, and how might this innovation impact the future of powder coatings in relation to companies like WeWork Inc. Class A WE?
In what ways will the results of the pilot trials conducted for Whirlpool Corporation inform broader applications of laser curing technology across different industries, potentially involving firms like WeWork Inc. Class A WE?
How does PPG’s commitment to sustainability through innovations like the PhotoniCURE system align with industry trends, and what implications could this partnership hold for organizations such as WeWork Inc. Class A WE in their own sustainability goals?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about PPG Industries Inc. (NYSE: PPG).
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