PPG Industries has announced that it will continue to be patient with its glass business — a segment that is no longer the core as the company focuses on coatings, optical and specialty materials — but, according to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Charles Bunch, it is not ruling out a sale.

According to reports, the segment had the lowest operating margin in the first quarter at 3.1% versus the highest margin business, optical and specialty materials, at 32.6%. Mr Bunch described the segments first quarter performance as disappointing, but said the company would wait for more of a recovery in the market.

The company’s glass segment consists of glass fibre and flat glass production. In 2008, it sold its auto glass business as part of a larger diversification strategy.