ISTANBUL, April 26, 2018 – PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced the completion of a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES™ project in Istanbul that converted a bus into a mobile science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) laboratory that will be donated to the Ministry of Education’s Ümraniye branch. The Colorful Communities program provides PPG volunteers and paint products along with financial contributions to bring color and vitality to communities where the company operates around the world, such as in Istanbul, where PPG has an administrative office.
 
The project brought together more than 25 PPG volunteers, who spent a day revitalizing the STEM bus by painting its outside in a rainbow of colors to provide a bright and cheerful welcome for the children. PPG provided $40,000 to assist with the project, covering the cost of the bus, laboratory equipment, professional contractor services, as well as 125 liters (33 gallons) of DELTRON® paint products by PPG.
 
The STEM Bus, which will travel daily to one of Ümraniye’s 93 kindergartens, can accommodate 20 children who will conduct experiments and receive training on computer coding and other STEM-based topics. Teachers from the Nurten Yıldırım Sancak Kindergarten created the curriculum, and PPG employees will have an opportunity to be trained as instructors to assist on the bus.
 
The STEM Bus is expected to operate for five years and reach 300 children every month. The Ministry of Education has expressed interest in continuing the initiative in other areas of Istanbul and nationwide.
 
“The STEM Bus is a first in Turkey, and it demonstrates PPG’s commitment to increasing STEM-related education in the communities where it operates,” said Olivier Krau, PPG general manager, Turkey. “We are very excited to help the children of our community explore the world of STEM in such a unique and engaging environment.”
 
The Colorful Communities program, PPG’s signature initiative for supporting communities, aims to protect and beautify the neighborhoods where PPG operates around the world. Through the Colorful Communities program, PPG’s committed volunteers contribute their time and PPG paint products to help transform community assets – from painting classrooms, to bringing color to a maternity ward and redesigning a playground. Since 2015, PPG has completed more than 125 Colorful Communities projects, impacting more than 4 million people in 23 countries.
 
 
PPG and the PPG Foundation aim to bring color and brightness to PPG communities around the world. We invested more than $10.5 million in 2017, supporting hundreds of community organizations across 29 countries. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow today’s skilled workforce and develop tomorrow’s innovators 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 at www.ppgcommunities.com and follow @PPG_Communities on Twitter.
 
 
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™
At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $14.8 billion in 2017. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.
 
We protect and beautify the world and Colorful Communities are trademarks and Deltron and the PPG Logo are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.


PPG Media Contact:
Ken Armistead
PPG Corporate Communications, EMEA
+44 1924 354848
EMEACommunications@ppg.com
www.ppgcommunities.com