High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, chemicals, glass, and fiber glass. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2011 were $14.9 billion. PPG is also the world`s third-largest producer of chlorine and caustic soda (used in a wide variety of industrial applications), vinyl chloride (for use in polyvinyl chloride resins), and chlorinated solvents. It is headquartered in PPG Place, a popular office and retail complex in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is known for its glass facade designed by Philip Johnson. Founded in 1883 by Captain John Baptiste Ford and John Pitcairn, Jr., as the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company at Creighton, Pennsylvania; the company changed its name to PPG Industries, Inc., on 19 December 1968 to show its diverse offerings. On 2 January 2008, PPG acquired the SigmaKalon Group of companies from private investment firm Bain Capital, strongly increasing its paint and specialty coatings business.