Praxair and GE Aviation open advanced jet engine coatings facility

Praxair and GE Aviation’s joint-venture business has opened a new facility that will develop and apply speciality coatings to repair and enhance performance of jet engine parts.

PG Technologies in Ellisville, USA will employ at least 250 people and support major commercial aircraft engine programs developed by GE and its joint-venture subsidiary, CFM International, including the GE9X and LEAP series engines.

Last October GE Aviation formed the venture with Praxair Surface Technologies. The resulting venture, PG Technologies, is headquartered in Indianapolis, USA and the Mississippi plant is one of two it will operate, the other to be located in Singapore.

"PG Technologies is a direct result of the longstanding and highly successful commercial relationship we have enjoyed with GE for over 20 years,” stated Praxair Chairman and CEO Steve Angel, "and we look forward to driving steady growth in the business while supporting GE Aviation’s needs."

The coatings will be custom-developed for the current and future LEAP engines, featured on the Airbus A320neo and 737 MAX aircraft and the GE9X, which will power Boeing 777 jets.

"The coating technology at this new facility is vital to enabling us to meet the demands of our customers, who expect industry-leading performance from GE Aviation," state Tony Aiello, GE’s Vice President and General Manager – Global Supply Chain.