Paint supplier PPG and steel producer ArcelorMittal announced a major step forward in reducing the carbon footprint of automotive manufacturing. The collaboration combines advanced steelmaking technologies with next-generation electrocoat solutions. The results were presented last week at the SURCAR automotive painting conference in Cannes, France.

The study revealed that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the steel material required to build a vehicle can be reduced by up to 30% by using ArcelorMittal’s electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking process, along with lightweighting strategies such as its ArcelorMittal Multi Part Integration (MPI) solution and the application of its third-generation advanced high-strength steels (AHSS). These innovations not only lower emissions but also enhance structural performance and design flexibility.

During the paint shop phase, PPG’s advanced electrocoat technologies provide superior corrosion protection while also minimizing environmental impact. These technologies help reduce emissions from component use by 20% and cut GHG emissions by 10%. This aligns with increasingly stringent environmental and health regulations.

The presentation also highlighted the success of the PPG Zircobond® thin-film pretreatment technology.

The highlighted ArcelorMittal Multi Part Integration (MPI) set of solutions helps carmakers build vehicles more efficiently. It uses strong steel and special laser welding technology to combine multiple parts into one, reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly. MPI works with all types of powertrains and is especially useful for making battery packs, chassis and body structures in electric and small vehicles. This smart design approach cuts production time, saves materials, lowers CO₂ emissions, and helps manufacturers meet their environmental goals.

The presentation also explored future areas of innovation for the ArcelorMittal-PPG partnership. These include the development of bio-based materials, next-generation curing technologies, and process improvements in areas such as ovens, air intake and filtration. Additionally, the companies are investigating emerging steel grades that offer higher strength and even greater lightweighting potential.