ORLANDO, FL - PPG Industries Inc.'s PRC-DeSoto International and aircraft-transparencies businesses announced the launch of a new combined brand identity as PPG Aerospace, a move the company said is aimed at effectively marketing its aerospace product lines of coatings, sealants and transparencies.

PRC-DeSoto, a global supplier of aerospace coatings and sealants, was acquired by PPG Industries in 1999 from Akzo Nobel in a transaction involving Akzo Nobel's purchase of Courtaulds plc's coatings businesses. PPG said it is the world's largest supplier of aircraft transparencies.

"The new PPG Aerospace image reinforces key strengths of combining the PRC-DeSoto and transparencies business segments under one aerospace strategic business unit," said Dennis Kovalsky, head of PPG Aerospace and a PPG Industries vice president. "These include an enhanced focus on the aerospace industry, continued industry leadership in all of our products and services, distribution synergies achieved through use of our global application support center network, and the additional resources available to us as a PPG Industries strategic business unit."

PRC-DeSoto, which remains a separate corporate entity, will be referred to as PPG Aerospace - PRC-DeSoto. PPG's aircraft transparencies business will be referred to as PPG Aerospace - Transparencies. PPG Aerospace has adopted "Where Smart Solutions Take Flight" as a tagline to be used in its marketing communications programs.

"Since acquiring PRC-DeSoto, we have worked to develop a strategy to integrate our unique strengths as leaders in aircraft transparencies and aerospace sealants and coatings," Kovalsky said. "The launch of the PPG Aerospace brand identity signifies the start of a new approach to developing, marketing and selling of aerospace services and products that focuses on our strengths to provide smart solutions for our customers."