PPG and Henan Billions Chemical open new plant in China

PITTSBURGH--PPG Industries and Henan Billions Chemical Co., Ltd., held a ceremony to mark the completion of Henan Billions’ titanium dioxide (TiO2) manufacturing and research facility in the Henan Province of China.

To start production in the first quarter of 2015, the facility will manufacture significant volumes of TiO2 using a chloride-based process. The 366,000-square-meter plant is expected to produce up to 100,000 metric tons of TiO2 per year, and has capabilities to expand capacity. PPG intends to use TiO2 manufactured at the new facility in the production of paints and other coatings. It also houses a 12,000-sq.m. technology centre, which will enable close collaboration by the two companies to accelerate development, testing, and qualification of next generation chloride-based TiO2 from the newly commissioned plant.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from Henan Billions: Xu Gang, Chairman of the Board; Tan Ruiqing, Deputy Chairman of the Board; and Han Jianhua, General Manager. Attending the ceremony on behalf of PPG was executive vice president, Viktoras Sekmakas; chief technology officer and vice president, coatings research and development, Charles Kahle; and vice president, purchasing and logistics, Stephen Lampe.

The completion of the facility was based on the agreement in 2012 between PPG and Henan Billions under which PPG licensed certain chloride-based technologies to Henan Billions. PPG also established a long-term supply agreement to purchase TiO2 from Henan Billions.