PPG announced the 10-year anniversary of its partnership with the Junior Uni-Wuppertal children’s and youth university, reaffirming a shared commitment to STEM and environmental education programs that spark an early interest in exploration and discovery. PPG has supported Junior Uni Wuppertal with more than $300,000 (€270,000) in funding since 2016 and will continue its support through 2

Over the past decade, the collaboration has brought more than 100 hands-on, interdisciplinary courses to life, helping equip over 1,200 students aged 4-20 with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle real-world challenges. By combining creativity with practical experimentation, the partnership has contributed to building a strong pipeline of future innovators.

“For 10 years, PPG has been a reliable and committed partner of the Junior Uni Wuppertal and we are deeply grateful for this long-standing support, said Ariane Staab, managing director, Junior Uni Wuppertal.” The company’s continuous financial support enables us to open our doors to thousands of young learners and create hands-on courses that spark curiosity, encourage creativity and strengthen confidence in their own abilities.”

PPG’s 2026 funding enables Junior Uni Wuppertal to deliver courses designed to prepare young learners for complex global issues such as climate change through creative and practical approaches. The 12 PPG-supported courses focus on sustainability-related topics including upcycling, water research, herbal science and chemistry.

During 2026, PPG is supporting courses that introduce scientific concepts through immersive learning experiences. Young children can conduct practical experiments using everyday materials to discover the basics of chemistry and physics, and explore global climate zones and underwater ecosystems. Older students can gain exposure to advanced topics including food chemistry, nutrition science, laboratory analysis and forensic DNA methods.

“By funding engaging STEM and environmental education programs, we aim to stimulate an early interest in exploration and discovery and encourage lasting curiosity in scientific learning,” said Heiko Stuhl, PPG director, industrial segment operations manufacturing coatings, EMEA. “Building enthusiasm for fields such as chemistry and sustainability is essential to developing the workforce needed for the future. Through our partnership with Junior Uni Wuppertal, we are helping inspire the next generation to explore, innovate and contribute to a more sustainable world.”

PPG’s focus on environmental sustainability education is part of a broader goal to invest $5 million globally in such initiatives by 2030. This commitment aligns with the company’s 2030 sustainability targets and reflects its dedication to developing future leaders in STEM.

PPG’s global community engagement efforts and the PPG Foundation aim to bring color and brightness to PPG communities around the world. We invested $18.1 million in 2025, supporting 400+ organizations across nearly 30 countries. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow tomorrow’s STEM innovators and skilled workforce in fields related to coatings and manufacturing. Plus, we empower PPG employees to multiply their impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable giving. Learn more here.