SHENZHEN, China – PPG Industries held a seminar on eco-friendly painting for automotive collision repair in Shenzhen, China, to positively respond to the city’s 2014 Air Quality Improvement Initiative. Officials from the Human Settlements and Environment Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, the Transport Commission of Shenzhen Municipality and the Shenzhen Automobile Repair Association attended the seminar and discussed solutions for improving air quality and controlling VOC emissions.

At the seminar, officials from the Shenzhen municipal government and the Shenzhen Automobile Repair Association introduced the 2014 Work Plan for Air Quality Improvement to more than 100 managers from automotive body and paint repair shops. They highlighted the objectives for the automotive maintenance industry that are described in the document and elaborated on major environmental trends and regulations related to automotive repair. PPG specialists shared global technology trends regarding energy-efficient automotive repair, the latest equipment and advanced processes with attendees. They also introduced best practices from developed countries regarding conversion to waterborne coatings in body and paint repair shops. In addition, experienced representatives from the Institute of the Motor Industry Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Vocational Training Council exchanged ideas on topics such as the adoption of waterborne coatings and how to train industry technicians with all attendees in the seminar. The highlight of the event was when officials announced the launch of the “Paint for a Greener Shenzhen” ceremony.

"As a responsible corporate citizen, PPG is committed to helping our customers achieve sustainable growth with green and efficient technologies and processes. Through this event, we hope to enhance communications between industry experts and automotive collision repair practitioners in a bid to promote the sustainable development of the industry,” said Pauline Yuen, PPG Vice President, Refinish Coatings and Light Industrial Coatings, Asia. “Working with the local government, we will make every effort to improve air quality and reduce fine particulate (PM2.5) emissions in Shenzhen.”

With the growing number of cars in China, the emission of VOCs during the whole automotive repair process has become a public concern. According to the 2014 Work Plan for Air Quality Improvement released in September 2013, the Shenzhen municipal government required that all first-tier automotive repair workshops adopt waterborne coatings and install waste gas treatment facilities. The collection and purification rate of organic compound emissions is to exceed 90%.