PPG Acquires World's Leading Maker of Nonprescription Sunlenses

Additionally, PPG agreed to acquire certain related manufacturingand distribution facilities in Italy and Hong Kong. Closing on theseassets is expected to occur by the end of May. The terms of bothtransactions were not disclosed.

"These acquisitions will strengthen PPG's optical productsportfolio and expand the global presence of our optical materialsgroup through Intercast's strong international footprint," said RickElias, PPG's vice president of optical products. "Our combinedofferings, and our research and development capabilities, will furtherstrengthen PPG's technology leadership and help us better serve ourcustomers and the industry."

Based in Parma, Italy, Intercast manufactures and distributesoptical sunlenses as well as optically clear sheet products fornon-eyewear applications. PPG officials said they will continue tooperate the business under the Intercast name. Paolo Baiocchi and GianGiuseppe Giani will remain managing directors of the business,reporting to Elias.

"We are pleased to join PPG in the pursuit of world-class eyewearsolutions," Baiocchi said. "Both companies possess strong leadershippositions in the optical market and share a common focus ontechnological innovation."

In addition, Intercast manufactures nonprescription lenses fromNXT, a proprietary monomer based on the same patentedpolyurethane-based chemistry for impact-resistant ophthalmicapplications as Trivex monomer for prescription lenses. PPG wasfirst-to-market with Trivex lens material - the first prescriptionlens material to offer the combination of excellent optics, impactresistance and ultra light weight.

"These acquisitions will also make PPG the pre-eminent supplier ofdurable, lightweight and optically clear lens material for the growingimpact-resistant lens segment," said Elias.

PPG Industries is the world's leading maker of optical resins andintroduced the first hard resin lens material, CR-39 monomer, in 1945.It is majority owner of Transitions Optical, the leading supplier ofphotochromics to optical manufacturers worldwide, and owner ofInternational Polarizer, the world's largest manufacturer of sunglasspolarizer. In addition to optical coatings and materials, PPG is aleading global supplier of specialty and industrial chemicals,coatings, flat and fabricated glass, and fiber glass. With 110manufacturing locations and equity affiliates in more than 20countries, sales in 2005 were US$10.2 billion.

Intercast Europe is the world's largest manufacturer of hard resinsunlenses and supplies products for fashion and performance eyewear toleading sunglass companies worldwide through its manufacturing anddistribution units in Italy, Thailand and Hong Kong. Additionalinformation about Intercast can be found at its Web site,www.intercast.it.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained herein relating to matters that are nothistorical facts are forward-looking statements reflecting PPG'scurrent view with respect to future events and financial performance.These matters involve risks and uncertainties, as discussed in PPG'sfilings with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant toSections 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.Accordingly, many factors may cause actual results to differmaterially from the forward-looking statements contained herein. Suchfactors include increasing price and product competition by foreignand domestic competitors, fluctuations in cost and availability of rawmaterials and energy, the ability to maintain favorable supplierrelationships and arrangements, economic and political conditions ininternational markets, foreign exchange rates and fluctuations in suchrates, and the unpredictability of existing and possible futurelitigation, including litigation that could result if the asbestossettlement discussed in PPG's filings with the Securities and ExchangeCommission does not become effective. However, it is not possible topredict or identify all such factors. Consequently, while the list offactors presented here is considered representative, no such listshould be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risksand uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additionalobstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements.Consequences of material differences in results compared with thoseanticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, amongother things, business disruption, operational problems, financialloss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of whichcould have a material adverse effect on PPG's consolidated financialcondition, operations or liquidity. All information in this newsrelease speaks only as of April 28, 2006, and any distribution of thisnews release after that date is not intended and will not be construedas updating or confirming such information.

CR-39 and Trivex are trademarks of PPG Industries.

NXT is a trademark of Intercast Europe.