PPG Industries' restructuring has been driving "solid organic growth" and "financial success" this year, Chief Executive Officer Charles Bunch told investment analysts yesterday.

The Downtown-based coatings, glass and chemicals maker expects its 2006 acquisitions to contribute $750 million in sales this year, with year-to-date margins in the high single digits. Volumes in 2007 have been some of the "best and most consistent" in the past several years, Mr. Bunch said in a statement, noting that October results came in "better than we had estimated."

PPG Industries said third-quarter sales were a record $2.8 billion, up 13 percent from a year ago. Net income for the quarter was $191 million, or $1.15 per share, up from $90 million, or 54 cents a share a year ago.

"We have been successful in strengthening our portfolio and concentrating on higher growth, specialty, technology-driven businesses," Mr. Bunch said. "Moving forward, we will continue to aggressively evaluate our portfolio."

PPG yesterday completed the sale of its fine chemicals business to ZaCh System S.p.A., a subsidiary of Zambon Co. S.p.A., of Milan, Italy, for approximately $65 million.

"This transaction is an important element in PPG's strategy to focus its efforts on continuing to be a leader in coatings and specialty products and services," said Mr. Bunch.

Income for all chemicals, including fine chemicals, declined by $28 million last year. Fine chemicals, such as pharmaceutical and photographic chemicals, are made in relatively small amounts.

The unit to be sold to ZaCh System includes plants in LaPorte, Texas, and Avrille, France, that together employ 360.