22 Jun 2009
Exatec* Glazing Shifts into High-Gear Production of Protective Shields Based on SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Tough Lexan* Sheet for the TTC
CHICAGO – June 22, 2009 – Today at NPE 2009, SABIC Innovative Plastics introduced a new, high-tech shield to enhance the protection of transit operators in Toronto. This new high-value operator protection is made of Lexan* sheet and coated with the Exatec* E900 advanced plasma technology at Exatec’s facility in Wixom, Mich. The combined high impact strength and optical clarity of Lexan sheet and the excellent abrasion resistance of the Exatec coating, led the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to equip its fleet with new shields to help prevent assaults on TTC operators, which average one per day. The advanced Lexan sheet/Exatec E900 plasma technology shield is SABIC Innovative Plastics’ latest example of how it is addressing critical customer needs with practical yet highly advanced material innovations.
“From the outset of this program the TTC sought a collaborative supplier to create a maximum-protection bus enclosure with exceptional impact resistance, anti-abrasion performance, durability, and excellent clarity,” said Stephen Shuler, chief technology officer for Exatec, LLC, at SABIC Innovative Plastics. “Exatec’s expertise in automotive glazing and application development helped to provide a next-generation, high-tech material and coating solution that not only enhances safety, but also provides drivers with a more open, spacious feel.”
Making Public Transit Safer
Serious incidents involving bus drivers are on the rise. For example, Washington, DC’s Metro system experienced 70 assaults on drivers in 2008, compared to 55 in 2007**. While protection of the driver was a primary objective of the TTC bus retrofit, the glazing solution also had to meet stringent regulatory requirements for optical clarity (driver visibility) as set forth in the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) ANSI Z26.1 AS-2 standard. Lexan 9034 sheet with Exatec coating is the first polycarbonate (PC) glazing certified to comply with AS-2.
This strong but lightweight solution also offers weight reductions of as much as 50 percent vs. glass, as well as superior impact strength, abrasion resistance and overall durability vs. acrylic-based panels.
Protective Enclosure Combines Durability with Visibility
The driver protection enclosure consists of a 31 by 38 inch rectangular Lexan sheet window with a lower metal door.
“Providing a durable protection shield solution for our customer was the ultimate goal,” said Shuler. “Our close collaboration with the TTC and their suppliers helped us to quickly understand their requirements and develop the material and coating combination needed for the high-performance protection shield quickly and cost-effectively. The combination of Lexan sheet and Exatec E900 plasma technology was clearly the ideal solution and the potential to use this technology with other mass transit organizations is significant.”
SABIC Innovative Plastics is exhibiting here at NPE 2009 in booth W123011.
For additional information on Lexan sheet with Exatec coating, please go to www.sabic-ip.com.
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Notes for editors
About SABIC Innovative Plastics
SABIC Innovative Plastics is a leading, global supplier of engineering thermoplastics with a 75-year history of breakthrough solutions that solve its customers’ most pressing challenges. Today, SABIC Innovative Plastics is a multi-billion-dollar company with operations in more than 25 countries and over 9,500 employees worldwide. The company continues to lead the plastics industry with customer collaboration and continued investments in new polymer technologies, global application development, process technologies, and environmentally responsible solutions that serve diverse markets such as automotive, electronics, building & construction, transportation, and healthcare. The company’s extensive product portfolio includes thermoplastic resins, coatings, specialty compounds, film, and sheet. SABIC Innovative Plastics (www.sabic-ip.com) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), one of the world’s top five petrochemicals manufacturers.
About EXATEC
Exatec, LLC (www.exatec.biz), a wholly owned subsidiary of SABIC Innovative Plastics, develops advanced polycarbonate glazing systems for the automotive market. Headquartered at its state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Development Center in Wixom, Michigan, Exatec has developed patented polycarbonate coating systems that ensure market-leading weathering, durability and glass-like abrasion performance. In 2005, the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed that Exatec’s signature product, Exatec* E900-coated polycarbonate, may be used in vehicle areas specified for Item 2 glazing (safety glazing material for use anywhere in a motor vehicle except windshields), provided that the product satisfies the existing performance standards for Item 2 glazing. Exatec was also honored with a Frost & Sullivan Technology Award for Exatec 900 technology.
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* Trademarks of SABIC Innovative Plastics IP BV.
* Exatec is a trademark of Exatec, LLC.
** https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metro-Riders-Bus-Drivers-Beware.html
Media Note: The proper name of the company is SABIC Innovative Plastics, and excludes any abbreviations or variations when referring to the company. As an acronym, SABIC should be all caps whenever it appears in print.
Related images
Cutaway of Bus Outfitted with Protective Shield Made with Lexan* Sheet and Exatec* E900 Plasma Technology
Editorial enquiries
Banu Kukner
SABIC
Kevin Noels
Marketing Solutions NV