26 Aug 2005
Advanced Glazing Technology from GE & Exatec LLC Delivers Light-Weight, High-Tech Styling & Performance to (COMS) Security Vehicles at the 2005 World Exposition
BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS — August 26, 2005 — GE Advanced Materials and Exatec LLC unveiled their cutting-edge automotive technology to the 2005 World Exposition, running from March through September in Aichi, Japan. Sleek new lightweight windshields constructed from GE’s tough, virtually unbreakable Lexan* GLX polycarbonate (PC) resin – and coated with advanced Exatec* 900 glazing – provide a new view to the nine electric vehicles, called COMS, patrolling the exposition grounds. The vehicles are among 35 such transports supplied by Toyota Auto Body to deliver first aid and security to the event’s expected 15 million visitors.
The new glazing technology – the Exatec 900 glazing system – is the fruitful work of a joint venture between GE and Bayer that offers a highly weatherable, lightweight glazing materials solution based on GE’s Lexan GLX PC resin. In addition to providing outstanding impact strength and resistance to chemicals and abrasion, GE’s advanced glazing solution enables visual excitement with innovative finishes, functional integration of molded-in features, and unprecedented design flexibility vs. glass for demanding automotive OEMs looking to incorporate high-performance functionality, optical quality, and aesthetics into automotive windows.
GE and Exatec provided this unique new technology to meet the vehicle maker’s need for a high-performance, lightweight, and reliable glazing solution. As used in the windshields of the nine COMS, the GE advanced glazing solution helped achieve a 40 to 50 percent weight reduction compared to laminated glass.
Another key reason why Toyota Auto Body selected the advanced glazing system for use on the COMS windshield stemmed from the material’s proven wiper performance. This unique glazing technology delivers consistently excellent performance in this area for an extended period of time vs. other materials.
“The 2005 World Exposition is an excellent opportunity for GE to underscore the high-performance properties of this innovative and versatile materials technology” said Shingo Imai, Asia Pacific industry manager, GE Advanced Materials. “It also provides a very demanding and highly visible proving ground for us to showcase the value of this advanced glazing technology to the world.”
The use of this material on the COMS is the first commercial application of its kind and GE is working with customers across the globe to drive new application opportunities in similar uses.
GE’s Lexan polycarbonate glazing has commercial applications in several vehicles including the Corvette Targa top and other major global OEMs.
Reader enquiries
GE PlasticsPlasticslaan 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
Notes for editors
About GE Advanced Materials
GE Advanced Materials (www.geadvancedmaterials.com) is a world leader in providing high-technology material solutions. Headquartered in Pittsfield, Mass., its businesses include Plastics, Silicones, Quartz, Automotive, Specialty Film & Sheet, Polymershapes, and Sealants and Adhesives.
GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work – a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
About Exatec LLC
Exatec, LLC (www.Exatec.biz) is a joint venture of Bayer Material Science and GE Advanced Materials, with strategic headquarters at Wixom, Mich., the United States; and Bergisch Gladbach, near Cologne, Germany.
* Lexan is a trademark of General Electric Company.
* Exatec 900 is a trademark of Exatec LLC.
Related images
COM Electric Vehicle with Windshield Molded from GE’s Lexan* Polycarbonate Resin Specialized Materials Glazing
Windshields constructed from GE’s tough, virtually unbreakable Lexan* GLX polycarbonate (PC) resin – and coated with advanced Exatec* 900 glazing – are featured on nine electric vehicles, called COMS patrolling the exposition grounds of the 2005 World Exposition, running from March through September in Aichi, Japan. The vehicles are among 35 such transports supplied by Toyota Auto Body to deliver first aid and security to the event’s expected 15 million visitors. The Exatec 900 glazing system is the fruitful work of a joint venture between GE and Bayer and is a highly weatherable, lightweight glazing materials solution based on GE’s Lexan GLX PC resin. In addition to providing outstanding impact strength and resistance to chemicals and abrasion, the material enables far greater design flexibility vs. glass for automotive OEMs to incorporate high-performance functionality and aesthetics into automotive windows.
Editorial enquiries
Anne Clement
GE Plastics, Automotive
Folke Markestein
Marketing Solutions NV
fmarkestein@marketingsolutions.be
Jim Allison
AH&M Marketing Communications
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