Collaboration aims to boost efficiency, cut costs, and reduce environmental impact in appliance finishing lines
PPG has announced a strategic collaboration with IPG Photonics, a global leader in fiber laser technology, and Whirlpool Corporation, one of the world’s foremost home appliance manufacturers, to accelerate the broad-scale commercialization of advanced laser curing systems for powder coatings. This alliance marks a pivotal step in modernizing industrial finishing processes, with a strong focus on lowering curing costs, minimizing environmental impact and significantly increasing production line speeds.
The partnership aims to transform the way powder coatings are cured in manufacturing environments. Traditional thermal curing processes rely on convection ovens that heat entire components to high temperatures for extended periods to initiate crosslinking — the chemical reaction that converts powder particles into a durable, protective finish. While effective, this method is energy intensive, time consuming and often limits throughput on finishing lines.
In contrast, laser curing harnesses infrared (IR) light to selectively and precisely initiate crosslinking. By using targeted IR energy rather than bulk heating, the process dramatically reduces the time required to cure coatings. Components can be cured in minutes — a fraction of the time needed for conventional thermal systems — while maintaining or exceeding the performance characteristics expected from powder-coated surfaces. Compared with traditional IR curing systems, laser-based curing is also more efficient, delivering higher energy density exactly where it is needed and minimizing waste heat.
The implications for manufacturers are substantial. Faster cure times translate directly into increased line speeds and improved throughput. Lower heat requirements significantly reduce energy consumption, leading to measurable cost savings and a smaller carbon footprint. In high-volume sectors such as appliance manufacturing, these operational gains can deliver both economic and environmental advantages at scale.
To support the commercialization of this breakthrough technology, PPG has installed a state-of-the-art pilot finishing line equipped with IPG’s PhotoniCURE™ laser curing system at its powder manufacturing and technical facility in Strongsville, Ohio. This pilot line enables real-world production simulations, allowing engineers and customers to evaluate the performance of laser curing under practical manufacturing conditions. In addition, a dedicated laboratory-scale system has been deployed at the PPG Coatings Innovation Center near Pittsburgh to conduct research and feasibility studies. These facilities provide a comprehensive platform for formulation development, process optimization and performance validation.
Whirlpool Corporation is among the first major manufacturers to participate in pilot trials using the PhotoniCURE system. The trials involve evaluating multiple powder formulations across a range of appliance components, assessing coating performance, durability, aesthetics and production efficiency. By testing laser-cured powder coatings in real manufacturing scenarios, Whirlpool is exploring how the technology can enhance sustainability initiatives while maintaining the high-quality finishes consumers expect.
Industrial finishing processes are among the most energy-intensive stages in manufacturing. Ovens must often maintain elevated temperatures for prolonged periods, contributing significantly to overall plant energy usage. By replacing or supplementing these ovens with laser curing systems, manufacturers can drastically cut heat generation, reduce energy draw and shrink facility emissions. For Whirlpool, this aligns closely with its sustainability objectives, as the company continues working to reduce environmental impact across its global operations.
From IPG Photonics’ perspective, powder coating represents a compelling opportunity to expand laser solutions into mainstream industrial manufacturing. Known for pioneering fiber laser technologies in cutting, welding and marking applications, IPG brings deep expertise in laser systems design, reliability and scalability. The PhotoniCURE system leverages this technological foundation to deliver consistent, high-performance curing tailored to industrial production lines. As sustainability regulations tighten and manufacturers seek cleaner, more efficient processes, demand for laser curing is expected to grow rapidly.
PPG’s role in the collaboration reflects its longstanding commitment to innovation in coatings science. Sustainability is central to the company’s purpose and growth strategy. Beyond laser curing, PPG has invested heavily in radiation-curable technologies and advanced powder solutions formulated with recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). The company is also developing products without PFAS and designing coatings that cure at lower temperatures while generating less waste. These efforts collectively reinforce PPG’s dedication to delivering “outside-the-can” capabilities — solutions that go beyond the coating itself to optimize the entire finishing ecosystem.
Over the past several years, PPG has significantly expanded its global powder coatings footprint. The company now operates 21 powder manufacturing plants worldwide, including seven facilities with specialized bonding capabilities and a dedicated powder resin plant. Supported by a robust research and development center and a Global Center of Excellence, this infrastructure positions PPG to rapidly scale innovative technologies such as laser curing to meet growing market demand.
The Strongsville pilot line and Pittsburgh research laboratory will serve as key hubs for customer engagement. As validation studies progress, the laser curing process will be made available to additional customers across various industries. Potential applications extend beyond home appliances to sectors such as transportation, construction equipment, consumer goods and industrial components — essentially any market where powder coatings are used to provide durability, corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal.
The collaboration also underscores the growing importance of cross-industry partnerships in driving technological advancement. By combining PPG’s coatings expertise, IPG’s laser engineering leadership and Whirlpool’s large-scale manufacturing experience, the initiative brings together complementary strengths. This integrated approach accelerates development timelines and ensures that innovations are practical, scalable and aligned with real-world production requirements.
Financially, the stakes are significant. PPG, headquartered in Pittsburgh and operating in more than 50 countries, reported net sales of $15.9 billion in 2025. Serving customers across construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets, the company sees laser curing as a pathway to deliver both operational efficiencies and environmental benefits to its global customer base. As manufacturers increasingly prioritize decarbonization and resource efficiency, technologies that reduce energy use without compromising performance will play a central role in shaping the future of industrial finishing.
Ultimately, the collaboration between PPG, IPG Photonics and Whirlpool represents more than a technical upgrade; it signals a broader shift in how coatings are applied and cured in modern manufacturing. By dramatically shortening cure times, lowering energy requirements and enabling higher throughput, laser curing has the potential to redefine production standards. As pilot programs transition into volume manufacturing, the technology could become a new benchmark for sustainable, high-efficiency powder finishing worldwide.
Through this initiative, PPG reinforces its brand promise — “We Protect and Beautify the World®” — not only by delivering high-performance coatings but also by advancing the processes that bring those coatings to life in cleaner, smarter and more sustainable ways.
