PPG has launched a cleaning solvent recycling initiative in partnership with SAIC General Motors (SGM). The project, introduced at the 2025 CARES Conference in Suzhou, China, brings a circular economy model to automotive painting.
It enables the reuse of up to 80% by weight of waste solvents collected in OEM paint shops. This represents a significant advancement in sustainable automotive manufacturing.
The program leverages advanced distillation and purification technology to separate valuable components from waste solvents, which can then be repurposed either as raw materials for coatings or as reclaimed solvents.
The closed-loop process offers a sustainable alternative to conventional disposal methods such as incineration, which generate high levels of CO2 emissions. Compared to existing recycling techniques, the new approach sharply reduces the volume of hazardous waste requiring disposal.
Through this initiative, PPG and SAIC General Motors plan to recycle more than 430 tons of waste solvents annually, strengthening both resource efficiency and environmental protection in the automotive industry. In recognition of the achievement, the technology received the 2025 RESPONSIBLE CARE Sustainability Initiative Award from the Association of International Chemical Manufacturers (AICM) in China in July.
Xu Xinghu, SGM painting process engineering manager, said, “At SAIC General Motors, we’re committed to working hand-in-hand with our supplier partners to drive innovation in sustainable solutions. Through collaboration, we aim to unlock new possibilities and make meaningful progress toward our shared environmental goals.
Tony Gu, PPG product engineering director, Automotive Coatings Asia, said that, “PPG continues to lead the industry with innovations such as precision application, 4-Wet sealants process technology, expanded bake electrocoats, and heavy-metal-free solutions.”
“These technologies help automakers reduce carbon emissions, minimize waste, and improve efficiency while meeting stringent environmental standards. By collaborating with partners across the value chain, PPG is accelerating the transition to a circular economy and advancing the future of mobility toward greater sustainability,” he added.
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