PPG announced its participation in a robotic mural creation as part of the recent Město=Galerie (City=Gallery) Street Art Festival in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. The mural was made possible through collaboration with ABB, Škoda Design and the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund.

During the event, an industrial robot developed by ABB and equipped with the company’s PixelPaint application technology recreated a large-scale mural designed entirely by artificial intelligence (AI), using PPG’s advanced waterborne basecoat. The mural’s design was shaped by public input through an online vote, translating the local community’s ideas into AI-generated artwork.

PPG’s waterborne basecoat was specially designed to enhance ABB’s “drop-on-demand” paint application system, PixelPaint. This technology precisely applies paint only where and when it is needed, eliminating overspray and achieving over 98% transfer efficiency. By removing the need for disposable masking materials and minimizing coating waste, it significantly reduces emissions. This also minimizes the reliance on extensive air-filtration systems, improving sustainability and workplace safety, while boosting productivity in automotive OEM paint shops.

“This collaboration demonstrates how PPG’s sustainably advantaged* coatings technologies can enable new forms of creativity while reducing environmental impact,” said Wolfgang Klaeger, PPG global manager, decorative technologies, Automotive OEM Coatings. “Our waterborne basecoat is engineered for precision and performance, helping to redefine how paint can be applied in both industrial and artistic settings. Seeing it used to bring AI-generated art to life in real time was truly inspiring.”

PPG’s advanced basecoat technology enables the direct application of intricate patterns and designs without the need for surface masking. This innovation streamlines the painting process, reduces material waste and accelerates customization. Traditionally, painting specific areas such as a car roof required masking the rest of the body with protective plastic. With PPG’s precision formulation, that step is no longer necessary, simplifying operations and enhancing efficiency.

PPG selected a system from its architectural coatings portfolio for the mural, including primer and topcoat. BALAKRYL™ primer by PPG provides a strong, fast-drying base layer suitable for roller application on large mineral surfaces. PRIMALEX™ topcoat by PPG can be applied shortly after the PixelPaint layer, even if it is not fully dry, without damaging the underlying coat. It creates a UV-resistant, weatherproof film that protects the surface and withstands varying temperature and humidity conditions.

The live painting event, held on Sept. 4 and 5 in Mladá Boleslav, marked the first time a robot artist had been featured at the festival and was one of its headline attractions. The collaboration highlighted how industry leaders can work together to push the boundaries of sustainability, technology and community engagement.

*Sustainably advantaged products are defined using PPG’s internal methodology that validates product attributes and their contribution towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. While many of our products have sustainable attributes in their end-use that promote longevity of customer assets, we consider products sustainably advantaged when they contribute to improved environmental outcomes or provide relative improvements over industry benchmarks.