What New Yorkers Won't See at the New York Auto Show; Solutia Automotive Glass Interlayer Clearly Makes a Statement on Concept, Production Vehicles

NEW YORK, April 23 -- Visitors to the New York Auto Show, currently underway at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, generally won't see one of the latest trends in automotive glass displayed on the show floor. Not that it's not there. The trend is laminated side window glass, and it is included on 20 vehicles on display at the show, which runs now through April 27.

Laminated glass is formed when a piece of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is sandwiched between two pieces of glass. Heat and pressure are then applied to the glass, causing the PVB interlayer to become clear. Recent technology advances have also allowed for the use of pigments and other composites that create striking colored or patterned windows. Solutia markets these advanced interlayers under the Vanceva(TM) (pronounced van-SEE-va) brand.

According to Solutia Automotive, the use of laminated automotive glass is on the rise for both concept and production vehicles, and that continues to be demonstrated at auto shows in the U.S.

"The New York Auto Show is one of the major consumer shows in the country. The number of vehicles at this show containing laminated side glass is a good indication that vehicle manufacturers are viewing it as a value-added component for their customers," said Jay Pyper, North American automotive market development manager for Solutia Automotive.

The reasons behind the increasing popularity of laminated glass equates to the variety of distinct benefits provided, according to Pyper. The base product, PVB, marketed by Solutia Automotive under the Saflex(R) brand, has been used in windshields for more than 60 years. But now, NVH and design engineers, and product planners, are discovering the benefits of using an interlayer in the side, rear and roof windows as well. This new category of automotive glass is known in the industry as Enhanced Protective Glass (EPG).

Additionally, concept and production vehicle designers are discovering the aesthetic benefits of Solutia's advanced interlayers marketed under the Vanceva(TM) brand. One of the products, Vanceva(TM) Color, allows designers to specify a glass interlayer from an almost infinite palette of colors to complement or contrast a vehicle's coating. Vanceva(TM) Color was featured on nine vehicles at the NAIAS.

Both products provide all the benefits of using a PVB interlayer:

* Noise intrusion into the vehicle can be reduced by up to six decibels, according to tests conducted by Solutia.

* Intrusion resistance is increased ten times because it is more difficult to penetrate the tough PVB interlayer, unlike tempered glass, which can shatter upon impact.

* Solar benefits include blocking 95 percent of harmful UV rays. With the inclusion of an additional film material in the interlayer "sandwich," the interlayer can also reflect infrared rays, reducing heat buildup inside a vehicle.

Concept vehicles at the New York Auto Show using Vanceva(TM) Color are the:

  Ford 427
  Ford Freestyle FX
  Cadillac Sixteen
  Buick Centieme
  Chevrolet SS
  Pontiac G6
  Infiniti Triant

Production vehicles on display using either the Saflex(R) or the Vanceva(TM) brand are the:

  Audi A8
  Bentley Continental GT
  Chrysler Pacifica
  Lincoln Navigator
  Lincoln Aviator
  Volvo S60R
  Volvo S80
  Volvo XC70 Cross Country Wagon
  Volvo 70R Wagon
  Lexus LS 430
  Maybach
  Mercedes-Benz S Class
  Porsche Targa

Solutia Automotive manufactures interlayers used in laminated automotive glass, and is not a glass producer itself. For more information, please visit www.solutiaautomotive.com .

Solutia Inc. , an independent, publicly owned enterprise headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, has a major presence in both national and international markets. Solutia produces Saflex(R) and Vanceva(TM) brand polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayers, that are used to manufacture the laminated glass used in automotive, architectural and residential applications throughout the world, and is the sole supplier of PVB for aircraft -- the most demanding application. The company's other businesses include synthetic fibers, resins, aviation hydraulic fluids, high-performance specialty chemicals and other performance products. Information about Solutia Inc. may be found at www.solutia.com .