PPG has announced that two of its electrocoat (e-coat) technologies have earned 2016 R&D 100 Awards in the mechanical/materials category. ENVIRO-PRIME EPIC automotive electrocoat (e-coat) featuring a patented organic catalyst and AEROCRON™ 2100 aerospace electrocoat primer are among the 100 most technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace over the past year, according to judges for the 54th annual awards.

Also, in just the second year for the R&D 100 Special Recognition Awards, PPG earned a Silver Award in the Green Tech category for its development of Enviro-Prime EPIC e-coat with organic catalyst.

Additionally, DESOTHANE solar heat management coatings technology by PPG was named among 2016 R&D 100 Awards finalists, but it was not selected among the top 100 technologies.

PPG introduced e-coat products and processes commercially for use in automotive production more than 50 years ago. Today, PPG continues to pioneer new e-coat technologies, as nearly every commercial automotive manufacturer and many parts and appliance makers use e-coat technology to protect metal from corrosion and to serve as a primer layer for decorative coatings.

Enviro-Prime EPIC e-coat is a water-based product that helps automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) achieve superior smoothness and corrosion resistance for metal bodies and parts while saving money and complying with global environmental standards. PPG created a proprietary organic metal-free catalyst system that enables the e-coat to cure without the use of tin-based compounds. This improves product sustainability and environmental compliance for both PPG and its automotive OEM customers.

Aerocron 2100 e-coat primer is the first commercial technology that offers e-coat benefits for aerospace manufacturers. Developed with aerospace industry alloys and requirements in mind, the e-coat primer cures at about 200 degrees F to maintain the integrity of aircraft parts instead of at 350 F or higher as do automotive e-coats. Additionally, the waterborne coating uses proprietary non-chrome corrosion inhibitors and is applied through an immersion process, which results in a more consistent film thickness for lower part weight and better coverage on complex aircraft parts than is possible using conventional solventborne spray-applied coatings.

“PPG is proud to earn this recognition from the global research and development community for creating breakthrough sustainable coatings technologies,” said David Bem, PPG vice president, science and technology, and chief technology officer. “Our team works with customers every day to help solve their challenges through innovation. Whether we are finding ways to increase corrosion resistance, durability and sustainability of their products and processes, or to decrease their manufacturing costs, these technologies show how PPG delivers inventive paint, coatings and materials solutions that our customers trust.”

In 2016, PPG set a goal of having sustainable products and processes such as these award-winning coatings comprise 40 percent of its total sales by 2020. Additional information is available in the company’s Sustainability Report.

The R&D 100 Awards Committee and R&D Magazine annually honor the 100 most innovative technologies and services of the past year with the R&D 100 Awards. PPG has won 24 R&D 100 Awards through the years.