Business Restructuring

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Business Restructuring

Business Restructuring

In March 2012, the Company finalized a restructuring plan to reduce its cost structure, primarily due to continuing weak economic conditions in Europe and in the commercial and residential construction markets in the U.S. and Europe. As part of this restructuring plan, PPG closed several laboratory, warehouse and distribution facilities and small production units and reduced staffing. The restructuring impacted a number of businesses globally, primarily the global architectural businesses and general and administrative functions in Europe.

As a result of this restructuring plan, in March 2012 the Company recorded a charge of $208 million for business restructuring, including severance and other costs of $160 million, asset write-offs of $53 million, and a net pension curtailment gain of $5 million. The Company also recognized additional costs directly associated with the restructuring actions for demolition, dismantling, relocation and training that were charged to expense as incurred, totaling $5 million, most of which was incurred by December 31, 2012.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, adjustments of approximately $12 million were recorded to reduce the restructuring reserve established in the first quarter of 2012 to reflect the estimated cost to complete these actions. Also in the fourth quarter of 2012, some additional restructuring actions were approved and charges of approximately $12 million for the estimated cost of these actions were recorded. The additional actions increased the number of employees impacted by 273.

The following table summarizes the restructuring plan and the activity in the restructuring reserve during the three months ended March 31, 2013:

(Millions, except no. of employees)	Severance and Other Costs			Pension Curtailment (Gains)/Losses			Asset Write-offs			Total Reserve			Employees Impacted
Performance Coatings	$	55		$	1		$	12		$	68		867
Industrial Coatings	38			(1		)	8			45			394
Architectural Coatings - EMEA	61			(5		)	3			59			881
Optical & Specialty Materials	2			—			30			32			50
Glass	3			—			—			3			36
Corporate	1			—			—			1			4
Total	$	160		$	(5	)	$	53		$	208		2,232
Activity to date	(106		)	5			(53		)	(154		)	(1,909	)
Currency Impact	(4		)	—			—			(4		)	—
Balance as of March 31, 2013	$	50		$	—		$	—		$	50		323

In addition to the amounts related to the 2012 restructuring reserve, there were also cash payments of approximately $2 million related to prior restructuring programs made during the three months ended March 31, 2012.