PPG Recognized Among Newsweek’s World’s Greenest Companies 2025: A Deep Dive into Its Sustainability Progress and Commitment
PPG a global leader in paints, coatings, and specialty materials, has been named to Newsweek magazine’s “World’s Greenest Companies 2025” list. The recognition highlights the company’s robust commitment to environmental sustainability and its ongoing progress in integrating sustainability into every layer of its global operations. This distinction places PPG among the top 750 publicly listed companies across 26 countries for excellence in environmental performance.
A Legacy of Protection and Beautification
“For decades, customers have relied on PPG as a partner to support their most challenging needs to protect and beautify countless assets,” said Peter Votruba-Drzal, PPG Vice President of Global Sustainability. “By embracing sustainable innovation as a key component of our business strategy, we’re driving growth through solutions that yield sustainable advantages for our customers.”
The company’s mission to protect and beautify the world is more than a slogan—it is embedded in the company’s strategic framework and business goals. PPG’s role in shaping a greener, more sustainable world has gained momentum with ambitious targets and consistent delivery of measurable progress.
Measurable Progress Towards 2030 Goals
In 2024, PPG made significant headway against its long-term sustainability targets for 2030. Among the standout achievements are:
- 41% of Sales from Sustainably Advantaged Products: These products, validated using PPG’s proprietary assessment methodology, align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and deliver tangible environmental benefits across sectors.
- 18% Reduction in Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions: By focusing on energy efficiency, cleaner energy sources, and operational optimization, PPG significantly reduced direct and indirect emissions from owned and controlled sources.
- 6% Reduction in Scope 3 GHG Emissions: Focusing on key reporting categories such as purchased goods and services (Category 1), processing of sold products (Category 10), and end-of-life treatment of sold products (Category 12), PPG continues to engage partners across the value chain to reduce emissions beyond its immediate control.
- 48% of Process Waste Reused, Recycled, or Recovered: Waste management remains a core focus for PPG. Through strategic initiatives and process improvements, nearly half of all generated waste has been diverted from landfills.
- 28% Reduction in Water Intensity at Priority Sites: Through water conservation initiatives, process improvements, and technology upgrades, PPG is lowering its water usage, especially in regions of high water stress.
- 98% of Key Suppliers Assessed for Sustainability and Social Responsibility: Supply chain engagement is a vital pillar of PPG’s environmental stewardship. The company’s sustainability assessments ensure that its suppliers uphold environmental, ethical, and social standards.
Recognition Through Rigorous Evaluation
Newsweek’s World’sGreenest Companies 2025 list is the result of a comprehensive, data-driven evaluation conducted by GIST Impact and Plant-A Insights Group. Out of over 8,000 evaluated public companies worldwide, only 750 made the final list.
The selection process incorporated more than 25 performance parameters across four key categories:
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Measurement and reductions across Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
- Water Usage: Efforts to conserve and manage water resources, especially in sensitive geographies.
- Waste Generation: Management, reduction, and disposal strategies.
- Sustainability Disclosures and Commitments: Transparency and alignment with international reporting standards.
To qualify, companies were required to disclose their sustainability data publicly, meet European Union minimum environmental standards, and employ more than 1,000 people. These stringent requirements underscore the credibility and prestige associated with being listed.
Strategy Rooted in Innovation and Global Impact
PPG’s sustainability achievements are deeply tied to its innovation-driven culture and global scale. With operations in more than 70 countries and net sales of $15.8 billion in 2024, PPG has the reach and resources to drive meaningful change in industries ranging from construction and industrial manufacturing to automotive and consumer goods.
By investing in research and development, PPG is advancing sustainable product innovations such as low-VOC paints, coatings that extend the life of assets, and materials that contribute to energy efficiency and circularity.
Supplier and Community Engagement
Supplier engagement remains a cornerstone of PPG’s sustainability strategy. The company’s Supplier Sustainability Program evaluates vendors on environmental responsibility, labor practices, human rights adherence, and ethical governance.
PPG is also active in community-based sustainability programs. Through corporate giving, employee volunteerism, and educational initiatives, the company supports efforts that enhance biodiversity, improve public health, and build resilience in communities around the world.
The 2030 Sustainability Goals
PPG has set forth an ambitious framework to drive continued environmental progress by 2030. Key focus areas include:
- Achieving 50% of sales from sustainably advantaged products.
- Increasing the share of renewable electricity across operations.
- Improving energy intensity across manufacturing facilities.
- Achieving zero process waste to landfill from priority sites.
- Implementing enhanced water stewardship at all high-risk sites.
- Expanding third-party sustainability audits across the global supplier base.
These goals reflect a future-forward vision that not only anticipates regulatory changes and stakeholder expectations but also sets a high bar for industry peers.
A Model for Corporate Environmental Responsibility
PPG’s inclusion in Newsweek’s 2025 ranking is more than a mark of distinction—it is a testament to the company’s ongoing evolution into a model for corporate environmental responsibility. It demonstrates how a 140-year-old industrial company can continuously reinvent itself to remain relevant and impactful in a world demanding rapid climate action and sustainable development.
As PPG continues its sustainability journey, its commitment to innovation, transparency, and accountability sets a powerful example for how business success and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
