Stella Juva uses PPG battery fire protection technology
AMSTERDAM – July 31, 2026 – PPG (NYSE: PPG) today celebrated the unveiling of Stella Juva, believed
to be the world's first solar-powered ambulance, developed by Solar Team Eindhoven, a student organization from
Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands.
Stella Juva is believed to be the world's first solar-powered ambulance, developed by Solar Team Eindhoven, a student organization from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands
PPG provided a grant of $46,250 (€40,000) to support development of the vehicle and contributed its PPG
CORACHAR™ SE 4000 epoxy intumescent battery fire protection coating to help protect the vehicle’s
battery system against external fire exposure and internal thermal runaway risks.
The vehicle has solar panels integrated into the roof that generate sufficient energy for driving and for powering
onboard medical equipment. By operating fully off-grid, Stella Juva offers a sustainable and practical solution for
providing healthcare in remote and underserved regions, including areas where access to electricity or fuel is
limited.
“With this initiative, Solar Team Eindhoven aims not only to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable
future, but also to create social impact by improving access to healthcare,” said Solar Team manager Mathijs
van Gerven. “We were inspired by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which strive to make
good healthcare accessible to everyone.”
“A key challenge in the transition to electric and solar-powered mobility is ensuring the safety of battery
systems under all operating conditions,” said Shuang Ma, PPG global battery safety platform leader Automotive
OEM Coatings. “While battery failures are rare, the consequences of thermal runaway events can be severe.
Advanced battery fire protection technologies play an important role in slowing the spread of heat and fire,
providing valuable time for occupants and first responders to react. We are proud to contribute our expertise to a
project that showcases how innovative mobility solutions can support essential healthcare services.”
PPG provided a grant to support development of the vehicle and contributed its PPG CORACHAR™ SE 4000 battery fire protection coating to help protect the vehicle’s battery system against external fire exposure and internal thermal runaway risks.
PPG CoraChar and PPG CORAGUARD™ battery fire protection coatings form heat insulation and blast
resistance barrier during thermal runaway, protecting the battery system and passengers against battery fire. The
coatings leverage PPG’s expertise in industrial and commercial fire protection while supporting battery
safety, lightweighting and passenger protection. Through the partnership, PPG is providing technical support from
its battery fire protection experts in Amsterdam in addition to the financial grant and coating technology.
The collaboration builds on PPG’s previous support of Solar Team Eindhoven’s Stella Terra, the
world’s first off-road solar-powered vehicle, unveiled in 2023. Stella Terra demonstrated that solar energy
could enable independence from charging infrastructure and paved roads. With Stella Juva, Solar Team Eindhoven is
taking the next step by exploring how solar mobility can contribute directly to healthcare delivery.
PPG’s global community engagement efforts and the PPG Foundation aim to bring color and brightness to PPG
communities around the world. We invested $18.1 million in 2025, supporting 400+ organizations across nearly
30 countries. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow tomorrow’s STEM innovators and
skilled workforce in fields related to coatings and manufacturing. Plus, we empower PPG employees to multiply
their impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable
giving. Learn more here.
ABOUT SOLAR TEAM EINDHOVEN
Solar Team Eindhoven is a student team from Eindhoven University of Technology dedicated to developing innovative,
efficient solar-powered vehicles. Through groundbreaking designs and engineering excellence, the team aims to
demonstrate how solar technology can contribute to a more sustainable future while addressing real-world challenges.
For more information, visit https://solarteameindhoven.nl/.
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®
At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty products
that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our
customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in
Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 50 countries and reported net sales of $15.9
billion in 2025. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and
transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.
CoraGuard is a trademark and CoraChar, the PPG logo and We protect and
beautify the world are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
PPG Media Contact:
Andrew Wood
Corporate Communications, EMEA
+31 6 5121
6579
awood@ppg.com
www.ppg.com