Fiberglass Research

PPG's main centers for fiber glass research are located in Shelby, NC and Pittsburgh, PA with facilities in Europe as well. Their charter is to further the exciting potential of glass fibers, a versatile material for which applications are expanding rapidly. Fiber glass is used in a wide range of demanding and diverse applications. Whether the applications are in electronic materials such as circuit boards, or in automotive applications from under-the-hood components like intake manifolds to body parts like hoods, bumper beams, and headlight housings, or in infrastructure and construction, or in marine and recreation, or in industrial applications such as composite pipe and polymer insulators, or in specialty markets such as filtration, thermal insulation, fiber optic cables and medical casts, PPG fiber glass delivers high value because of key properties such as strength, stiffness, thermal stability, and corrosion resistance The growth of our business is possible only because it is supported by scientists and engineers with diverse backgrounds, and by teams of individuals jointly carrying out cross-functional research and development efforts. To sustain the extraordinary growth of our businesses into the future, PPG continues to make significant investments in manufacturing and development facilities. Effective research requires knowledge of the scientific principles of glass and fiber-making chemistry and physics, as well as aspects of the composites and textile processing industries. Basic research continues to be aimed at discovering new technology needed in the future to sustain our product leadership, and applied product research and development support related efforts by our customers. Engineering skills are required to bring new concepts to reality, providing viable process technology and new facilities for expanding businesses. Product leadership builds on Process leadership. With our S&T facilities located near manufacturing plants, our Researchers work side-by-side with product and process development groups. This arrangement fosters the efficient implementation of innovations into products and processes. Diverse career opportunities exist for highly skilled and motivated scientists and engineers in multi-disciplinary research and development as well as key analytical research efforts. The opportunities include applied and fundamental research, and range from mathematical modeling, surface chemistry, polymer chemistry, colloid science and glass structure, to developmental work aimed at introducing fiber glass to an even wider range of commercial products to satisfy the dynamics and growth of the fiber glass business. Additionally, engineering endeavors in the design, optimization and construction of new process components and facilities are critical to our success.