PPG to offer wastewater treatment technology to OEMs

PPG Industries announced it has signed an agreement with Plymouth Technology Inc. to distribute Metals Removal System (MRS) wastewater treatment technology by Plymouth to the North American automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) market. PPG will distribute this technology under the PPG brand name "Water Wise Solutions."

Water Wise Solutions uses proprietary media and processes to adsorb heavy metals and other contaminants from wastewater streams. Automotive manufacturing facilities, particularly assembly plants with paint shops, must treat wastewater on-site before releasing it into municipal water systems, typically using a large, complex water treatment plant to reduce water contaminants to acceptable levels. Water Wise Solutions treats wastewater with reduced chemical use, sludge generation and plant resources, while providing an effluent stream typically cleaner than required by regulations. Water treated by Water Wise Solutions can also be reused in some assembly processes, thus reducing total water purchase and discharge to save money and reduce environmental impact.

"Plymouth has a long-standing relationship with PPG as both a supplier and solution provider," said Amanda Christides, president, Plymouth Technology. "PPG's extensive infrastructure for partnering with automotive customers to leverage engineered solutions provides an ideal channel to the automotive OEM market for Plymouth's innovative technology."

Patrick Harshall, global director of Total Service Solutions for PPG, said, "Water Wise Solutions is part of PPG's long-term strategy to develop and bring to market innovative solutions that help customers meet their economic and environmental challenges. This is in line with PPG's rich tradition of environmental stewardship and developing environmentally responsible products."