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PPG donates coatings for QantasLink’s breast cancer awareness campaign


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Special pink coatings created for QantasLink’s Bombardier Q400 ‘Pink Lady’

A plane with custom pink coatings created and donated by PPG Industries’ (NYSE:PPG) aerospace business is flying across Australian skies to help QantasLink promote breast cancer awareness in the country’s regional and remote areas.

More than 50 kilograms (about 44 gallons) of primer and topcoat, including two shades of pink specially matched to signature colors of Australia’s National Breast Cancer Foundation, were provided by PPG Aerospace’s Tullamarine application support center. The donated coatings, which also included QantasLink’s red, white and black livery colors, would have cost about AU$20,000/US$18,000.

“When we heard of QantasLink’s project to increase public knowledge about the importance of early breast cancer detection, we were excited to be part of it,” said Anne Neeson, PPG business manager. “The size and remoteness of some areas of Australia make it difficult to get a message across the country. QantasLink’s plan to fly a promotional aircraft in striking pink colors was brilliant, and it is an honor for PPG to be part of the effort. PPG’s high-performance aerospace coatings give QantasLink’s Pink Lady a dramatic appearance fitting its purpose.”

PPG’s Tullamarine application support center worked with Rob Tassini, QantasLink engineering manager, to set up PPG’s sponsorship. The Bombardier Q400 airplane was painted in secrecy and kept under wraps until its launch on national television in Australia.

“The PPG coatings team at the application support center led by Operations Manager Paris Tzambazis did a fantastic job matching and supplying the special colors in the time available,” Neeson said.

PPG supplied Desoprime HS CA7700 epoxy primer and Desothane HS CA8800 polyurethane topcoat to give the plane a smooth, glossy appearance, she said.

“This Desoprime primer achieves an exceptionally smooth surface, so the topcoat has a superior distinctness of image,” Neeson said. “And Desothane HS CA8800 polyurethane topcoat can be buffed after application, giving the plane a beautiful high-gloss appearance with lasting durability.”

Both primer and topcoat have a higher percentage of solids than traditional coatings to reduce material usage and, therefore, weight on the aircraft for better fuel efficiency. The PPG coatings are also environmentally responsible, with a lower solvent percentage for reduced VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions during application.

“The look and feel of the aircraft has amazed everyone who has had the opportunity to view or fly on the aircraft,” said Elsa D’Alessio, general manager, commercial, QantasLink. “This has only been possible through the high-quality paint supplied by PPG.”

QantasLink will fly the pink Bombardier Q400 aircraft throughout its network in Australia until October 2008 as part of its partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The airline plans various fund-raising promotions to benefit the organization as well.

PPG’s network of 15 application support centers located in key aerospace regions around the world provides integrated services, customized packaging and product distribution as well as local sales and technical support.

PPG Aerospace is the aerospace products and services business of PPG Industries. PPG Aerospace – PRC-DeSoto is the leading global producer and distributor of aerospace coatings, sealants, and packaging and application systems. PPG Aerospace – Transparencies is the world’s largest supplier of aircraft windshields, windows and canopies, manufactured at its Huntsville, Ala., plant and by subsidiaries PPG Aerospace – Ampaspace at Casaletto Vaprio, Italy, and Sierracin/Sylmar Corp. at Sylmar, Calif.

About QantasLink
QantasLink is comprised of three regional airlines: Airlink, Eastern Australia Airlines and Sunstate Airlines. It is Australia’s largest regional airline and a subsidiary of Qantas. QantasLink operates about 2,000 flights weekly to 52 metropolitan and regional destinations across Australia, and it employs about 1,000 people.

About Australia’s National Breast Cancer Foundation
The National Breast Cancer Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in 1994 that promotes and supports breast cancer research. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in females in Australia, according to the NBCF, and one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85. The NBCF believes early detection is key to survival and is leading the pursuit for new knowledge in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company has manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 30 countries. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

Desoprime and Desothane are trademarks of PRC-DeSoto International, Inc.



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