PPG is making a calculated bet on next-generation coatings—and doing it with speed, scale, and a clear sustainability pitch.

 

The company has unveiled a new advanced testing line for radiation-curable coatings at its R&D Center of Excellence in Marly, France, a move designed to fast-track innovation while cutting both costs and carbon. 

 

The new line can simulate real-world customer production conditions using multiple curing technologies—infrared (IR), ultraviolet (LED, excimer and arc lamps), and electron beam (EB)—giving PPG a powerful edge in reducing trial-and-error on the factory floor.

 

At the heart of the investment is a simple promise: faster development, fewer customer trials, and more precise results.

 

Radiation curing itself offers a stark contrast to traditional thermal processes. Operating at or near ambient temperatures, it slashes energy demand and can cut carbon emissions by as much as 65%, with even greater reductions possible when paired with renewable energy. 

 

The environmental gains don’t stop there—UV- and EB-curable coatings typically use 100% solids formulations, eliminating solvents and dramatically reducing volatile organic compound emissions.

 

But sustainability is only part of the story. The real game-changer may be speed. These advanced coatings cure in seconds, allowing parts to move immediately into storage, packing, or shipping—unlocking major productivity gains across manufacturing lines.

 

“Our deep expertise and broad capabilities in radiation curing set PPG apart and strengthen our position as a leader in energy-efficient finishing solutions,” said Mark Poland, PPG regional technical director, EMEA, Industrial Coatings. 

 

“This investment enables us to tailor finishing technologies to our customers’ specific lines, processes and curing conditions, delivering measurable gains in performance and efficiency.”

 

The Marly facility plays a central role in PPG’s global innovation network, supporting industries ranging from automotive to specialty products. It joins a broader ecosystem of research hubs, including the Coatings Innovation Center near Pittsburgh and regional labs across the US, Europe, Australia, and China—all equipped to develop and validate energy-efficient coating technologies.

 

And PPG isn’t stopping there.

 

In a parallel push, the company has also rolled out a laser-curing pilot finishing line at its facility in Strongsville, Ohio, alongside a lab-scale system for early-stage research. The goal: accelerate the commercialization of laser curing for powder coatings—another step toward faster, cleaner, and more efficient industrial finishing.

 

With these investments, PPG is making a calculated bet that the future of coatings will be defined not just by performance—but by speed, precision, and sustainability.