SEMA 2004: Solutia's Vanceva Laminated Glass Shines

Complete laminated glass system offers variety at annual aftermarket extravaganza

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 2 -- For the first time ever, vehicle restylers can create design effects for automotive glass that go beyond anything previously available. Vanceva(TM) Laminated Glass enables maximum design creativity while offering the quality and durability of an OEM-accepted product. Solutia Automotive chose the annual aftermarket premier event, the SEMA show, to unveil its dramatic new line of Vanceva Laminated Glass products now available for the aftermarket industry.

"We didn't want to just test the waters," said Diane Romine, Solutia Automotive's market development director for aftermarket products, "we wanted to come to SEMA with products that would be available almost immediately to restylers looking for unique styling alternatives for automotive glass, with remarkable supplementary benefits."

Solutia has done just that, as seen on the SEMA show floor. In addition to the stunning Dodge Magnum, Solutia's booth vehicle, its new advanced Vanceva(TM) Laminated Glass system is a major feature on 2005 Ford Mustangs located in the Classic Design Concepts booth and the Ford Motor Company booth. The Dodge Magnum showcases Vanceva Laminated Glass in the rear door and rear quarter window positions, utilizing its color and metallic technologies to create the desired monochromatic design theme. The Vanceva Laminated Glass featured in the panoramic glass roofs of Classic Design Concepts' Mustangs utilizes the color and metallic technologies for dramatic styling effects while reflecting infrared radiation, thereby keeping the interior of the vehicle cool.

According to Romine, Solutia has evaluated the $244.6 billion automotive aftermarket industry and determined that there was a market for a visually distinctive glazing product that is robust enough to weather the elements, while offering the enhanced benefits inherent to laminated glass:

* Superior Interior Sound Control - Vanceva(TM) Laminated Glass reduces noise entering the vehicle by up to six decibels in the most sensitive hearing range (1000 - 6000 Hz). Conversely, it also keeps the good sound in, enhancing the listening experience for passengers.

* Solar protection - Vanceva(TM) Laminated Glass screens up to 95 percent of the sun's harmful UVA and UVB radiation that can cause vehicle interiors to deteriorate. The product has an ultraviolet protection factor of 50+ (SPF). With the addition of a metallic interlayer, Infrared Radiation is also significantly reduced, resulting in a cooler, more comfortable interior.

* Enhanced Vehicle Security - Vanceva(TM) Laminated Glass takes up to ten times longer to penetrate than standard tempered glass, thereby deterring opportunistic thieves looking for an easy target.

Solutia's Vanceva(TM) Laminated Glass will be offered initially for the Hummer H2 and the Dodge Magnum, with more vehicle offerings slated for 2005.

About Solutia Inc.

Solutia uses world-class skills in applied chemistry to create value-added solutions for customers, whose products improve the lives of consumers every day. Solutia is a world leader in performance films, producing Saflex(R) and Vanceva(TM) brand polyvinyl butyral interlayers for laminated glass in automotive, architectural and residential applications. Solutia is also a leader in process development and scale-up services for pharmaceutical fine chemicals; specialties such as water treatment chemicals, heat transfer fluids and aviation hydraulic fluid and an integrated family of nylon products including high-performance polymers and fibers.