Photo: PPG
At PPG, sustainability is not just a goal – it’s embedded in how they operate, innovate and grow. With more than 140 years of expertise in paints, coatings and specialty materials, PPG is committed to delivering solutions that protect and beautify the world. From supporting the communities where we live and work, to developing products and processes that help mitigate environmental impacts and solve customers’ biggest challenges.
As a ”Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe” at EuroSkills Herning 2025, PPG is proud to support the next generation of skilled professionals through sustainable innovation and local engagement. During the competition in the Painting and Decorating Competition, participants will work with SIGMA COATINGS™ paints by PPG – products specifically selected for their performance and sustainability credentials – and PROGOLD™ sundries.
“Supporting EuroSkills Herning 2025 reflects our strong commitment to sustainability, workforce development and helping young professionals thrive,” said Torben Beck, PPG general manager, North Europe and China, Architectural Coatings.
Water-based, eco-certified products
All paints and primers used during the competition are water-based – a standard aligned with PPG’s commitment to environmental responsibility and professional performance. These sustainably advantaged products from Sigma Coatings portfolio include Wallprimer Plus, an EU Ecolabel-certified base coat packaged in containers made from 90% recycled plastic, and Sigmacryl 5, also EU Ecolabel-certified, is a high-opacity matte topcoat ideal for a clean, washable finish.
As a global company, PPG recognizes that sustainability must be both scalable and local. In Denmark, PPG employs more than 300 people across multiple sites, including their manufacturing facility in Søborg, near Copenhagen. This strong local presence ensures that customers benefit from shorter supply chains and regionally made products that reflect global innovation and local needs.
In 2023, PPG committed to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The PPG 2024 Sustainability Report highlights significant progress against these and other targets, including a 41% of sales from sustainably advantaged products*, an 18% reduction in GHG emissions in PPG’s own operations, and a 28% reduction in water intensity at priority sites.
Commitment to education and workforce development
PPG is equally committed to building a more sustainable future through education. Through programs like COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® initiative and investments in STEM and workforce development, PPG supports students in discovering rewarding careers in fields such as decorative painting, refinishing and advanced manufacturing. In 2024, PPG Global Giving and the PPG Foundation donated $18.4 million (120 mil. DKK) to nonprofit partners worldwide.
PPG’s involvement in EuroSkills Herning 2025 is a continuation of this commitment – ensuring that young professionals not only showcase their talent, but also gain hands-on experience with high-performing, sustainably advantaged products. By partnering with WorldSkills Europe, PPG aims to inspire sustainable innovation, elevate vocational education, and foster lasting local impact – exceeding PPG’s three-year, $2 million (13 million DKK) workforce development commitment through the end of 2025 ahead of schedule.
* Sustainably advantaged products which are defined using PPG’s internal methodology that validates product attributes and their contribution towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. While many of our products have sustainable attributes in their end-use that promote longevity of customer assets, we consider products sustainably advantaged when they contribute to improved environmental outcomes or provide relative improvements over industry benchmarks.