PITTSBURGH - PPG Industries and Kansai Paint of Japan announced plans to launch an automotive-coatings alliance that will focus on sales to the global OEM market. The joint venture, to be known as PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes (PKAF), has established legal entities in the United States and the U.K., with registration certification initiated in Canada, Mexico, France and Japan.

Officials from PPG and Kansai said the alliance will help both companies to respond quickly and effectively to the demands and requirements of the global automotive-OEM market. The alliance initially will focus on Japanese-based auto-manufacturing operations in North America and Europe, with PPG and Kansai eventually planning to establish marketing and sales operations in Shanghai, China, and in other Asian countries. In addition, PPG and Kansai said they will develop technology jointly.

The North American and European joint ventures will be owned 60% by PPG and 40% by Kansai, with head offices to be based in Troy, Mich., for North America, and Birmingham, U.K., for Europe. The joint venture in Japan will be 50% owned by both PPG and Kansai.