Earlier in February, the US glass group PPG announced the acquisition of a 25% stake in the Mexican automotive glass firm Cristal Laminado o Templado SA de CV (CITSA), located just north of Mexico Ci…
Earlier in February, the US glass group PPG announced the acquisition of a 25% stake in the Mexican automotive glass firm Cristal Laminado o Templado SA de CV (CITSA), located just north of Mexico City. The five-year-old CITSA plant will undergo expansion with the aim of starting production of original-equipment car glass for domestic and export markets towards the middle of this year. PPG“s vice president, Ernest Hahn, said that PPG technology would be introduced and that the company would seek QS-9000 registration. The US firm already has two coatings and resins plants in Mexico, but CITSA is its first automotive operation. An amorphous silica facility will also soon begin operation. PPG also announced an increase in its ownership to 80% of a South American venture with Akzo Nobel NV of the Netherlands. Terms were not disclosed. “Moving to a majority position allows PPG to broaden our full-service capabilities in support of automotive customers in the Mercosur trading region,” said Richard Zahren, vice president of automotive products in PPG“s coatings and resins business. PPG previously held a 45% interest in the venture, which was formed in 1995. “Demand in South America for original equipment coatings and related products is developing rapidly,” said Zahren. “Our commitment to our customers is to enhance PPG“s supply and service capacity as they grow anywhere in the world.” The venture includes PPG-AN Autotintas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and PPG-AN Automotive Coatings in Cordoba, Argentina, with manufacturing operations in the Sao Paulo area.