PPG Architectural Coatings Limited has filed its defence in the court action brought against it earlier this year by ICI Paints Akzo Nobel regarding Johnstone's Paints' 'Best by Test' advertising campaign.
ICI is challenging the campaign in relation to claims contained within the ads which the company believes to be misleading.

The statement from PPG said: "PPG stands behind the claims made in its 'Best by Test' campaign, which were based on independent testing of Johnstone's Trade paints against the equivalent Dulux Trade paints.

"PPG has also launched a counterclaim against ICI challenging the claims made over many years by ICI in relation to the spread rates of Dulux Trade paints. PPG believes that the specified spread rates of certain Dulux Trade paints has consistently been overstated on its tins and believes it is in the interests of our customers, employees and shareholders to prove this in the courts."

PPG UK managing director Greg Molyneux said: "PPG is committed to fair and open competition, and we believe that our customers are entitled to know the facts about the paints they buy. This is why we have chosen to fight the court action brought by ICI."