Automotive OEM Coatings Company PPG has declared the start-up of a facility in Tangier, Morocco, which is said to produce automotive sealants for local vehicle production. The plant, which also marks the company’s first automotive coatings production facility in Africa, primarily will supply materials for Renault Group’s Dacia brand vehicles that are manufactured in Tangier and Casablanca.
“This facility’s start-up is an imperative step in providing local supply for automotive original equipment (OEM) vehicle manufacturers in Morocco,” said Roald Johannsen, PPG Vice President, automotive coatings, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The country is at present one of the largest and fastest-growing vehicle producers in Africa. Vehicle output is anticipated to upsurge considerably, with 2 more production facilities likely to be added by 2030.”
The Policy Centre for the New South, a Moroccan think tank, guesses that automotive output rose from 100,000 vehicles in 2000 to around 400,000 vehicles in 2019. The output is now likely to increase to 700,000 vehicles by 2023.
PPG’s Tangier facility is targeted to produce sealants that allow more flexibility in vehicle design and manufacturing. The company is measuring the local production of additional adhesive, sealant and coatings technologies to supply vehicle manufacturers that are expanding production in Morocco.
PPG remains to progress the development of its automotive adhesives and sealants to permit vehicle manufacturers to meet their goals of electrification, sustainability, light weighting and noise and vibration reduction.
Johannsen stated, “This investment validates our commitment to upkeep with our customers and enlarge in regions that are poised for growth. Each day, we partner with our customers to create mutual value and concentrate on technical solutions that make a difference.”
