Press Kit GE - Plastics
Imagination Union Event 24 October 2005 &
GE Day Benelux 26 October 2005

Press Releases

GE Supports Global Environmental Efforts with Innovative Plastics for the Solar Energy Market

BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS – November 4, 2005 - The dramatic spike in heating oil, gasoline, and natural gas prices is bringing to the forefront the need for alternative, renewable energy sources such as solar technology. Solar energy, used both for conversion to electricity (photovoltaics) and to heat water (solar thermal), can serve as the primary or secondary source of energy for homes and businesses, outdoor lighting, and many other applications. It offers significant environmental advantages over fossil fuels, which is being encouraged by many governments.

Solarnor Heats Up the Global Solar Thermal Market with Noryl* EN150SP Resin

Even in Norway it’s possible for solar thermal systems to cover 50 percent of the total annual demand for energy needed in heating space and domestic hot water. Solarnor of Norway has developed the first high temperature polymer collector in the world with the help of Noryl resins from GE-Plastics.

GE’s ecomagination* Initiative and Lexan* EXL9330 Resin Help Keep Solar-Panel Battery Connection Boxes Protected and Looking Good

With oil and natural gas prices soaring, interest in alternative energy sources like photovoltaics (solar technology) is climbing rapidly. Solar energy is cleaner, less polluting, and does not negatively impact the environment. It can be a good source of primary or supplemental energy in both urban and rural locations. China is becoming a major manufacturer and exporter of solar devices, exporting over 90 percent of these units around the globe. A newly ratified Renewable Energy Law in China is expected to drive domestic consumption of solar technology rapidly.

GE’s ecomagination* Initiative and Lexan* ZigZag* Sheet Roofing Help the Dutch Greenhouse Industry Move Toward Energy Independence

BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS — November 15, 2005 — To support a strategic shift away from consuming large amounts of fossil fuel, the greenhouse industry in the Netherlands is turning to GE’s ecomagination* initiative for innovative environmental solutions. Using GE’s new Lexan* ZigZag* sheet polycarbonate (PC) roofing material, Hydro Huisman, a leading hydroculture company in Huissen, is constructing the first greenhouse that will produce more energy than it uses. Lexan ZigZag sheet double-wall roofing panels provide higher light transmission than single glass, and insulation similar to multiwall glass or PC sheet. These energy-efficient properties will enable approximately two-thirds of the heat generated in the greenhouse to be sold as surplus.

GE Combines Lexan* Margard* Sheet Durability with Solar Control to Help Save Energy and Protect Against UV For Excellent Transportation Solution

BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS — October 28, 2005 — Underscoring the company’s commitment to its new ecomagination* initiative, GE’s Plastics business is introducing advanced, new Lexan* Margard* MR5 IR sheet – GE’s first hard-coated, polycarbonate (PC) sheet product for the global public transportation industry featuring infrared (IR) absorption in the wavelength range of 780-1400 nm. By effectively managing infrared heat from sunlight striking buses, trains, and other public transport and specialty vehicles, this GE material helps save energy and protect against potentially harmful UV radiation, yet admit plenty of light. This reduces heat build-up and can help cut air conditioning costs on hot and sunny days, while at the same time provide insulation to retain heat and lower fuel costs on cold or cloudy days.

Backgrounder

GE - Plastics Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands Backgrounder

• GE - Plastics (www.geadvancedmaterials.com) is a world leader in providing high-tech materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics and technology platforms, widely used in automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, performance packaging, building & construction, telecommunications, and optical media applications. The company manufactures and compounds polycarbonate, ABS, SAN, ASA, PPE, PC/ABS, PBT and PEI resins, as well as the LNP* line of high-performance specialty compounds. GE - Plastics, Specialty Film & Sheet manufactures high-performance Lexan* sheet and film products used in thousands of demanding applications worldwide. In addition, GE - Plastics’ dedicated Automotive organization is an experienced, world-wide competitor, offering leading plastics solutions for five key automotive segments: body panels and glazing; under the hood applications; component; structures and interiors; and lighting.

Reader enquiries

GE Plastics
Plasticslaan 1
4600 AC Bergen op Zoom
Netherlands

Helen Vandebovenkamp
helen.vandebovenkamp@ge.com

Tel: +31 164 29 20 97
Fax: +31 164 29 10 66
Netherlands

+31 164 29 20 97

helen.vandebovenkamp@​ge.com

www.geplastics.com