PPG declares force majeure for certain commodity chemicals

PITTSBURGH – PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) today announced that it has declared force majeure for vinyl chloride monomer manufactured at the company’s Lake Charles, La., chemicals complex and for all grades of liquid caustic soda on a systemwide basis. The company did not provide an end date for the force majeure.

This force majeure is a direct result of a Dec. 24 fire at the Lake Charles chemicals complex. The fire affected the vinyl chloride monomer unit and did not result in any off-site environmental impact. One employee was transferred to the hospital and is currently being treated.

“The plant emergency response team did an excellent job extinguishing the fire quickly, however we must declare force majeure as a result of the damage and shutdown of the vinyl chloride monomer unit and reduced chlor-alkali operating rates,” said Michael H. McGarry, PPG executive vice president. “We realize this impacts our customers, and we are working to repair the unit as quickly as possible.”

The company added that the expense stemming from the equipment damage and lost sales volume will likely impact PPG’s Commodity Chemicals segment earnings by $5 million to $8 million in the fourth quarter 2012, and an incremental $2 million to $5 million in 2013 based on current information.

PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.(TM)
PPG Industries’ vision is to continue to be the world’s leading coatings and specialty products company. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in more than 60 countries around the world. Sales in 2011 were $14.9 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 reflecting the company’s current view with respect to future events or objectives and financial or operational performance or results. The forward-looking statements contained herein include statements relating to the timing of the completion of repairs to the vinyl chloride monomers unit, the length of the force majeure and the financial impact of the damage and force majeure on PPG. Actual events may differ materially from current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timing of the completion of repairs to the vinyl chloride monomers unit, the length of the force majeure, the financial impact of the damage and force majeure on PPG, and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in PPG Industries’ periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, and its current reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of their initial issuance, and PPG Industries does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Bringing innovation to the surface is a trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.