Enhanced Protective Glass Automotive Association Names New President, Treasurer

DETROIT, Nov. 8, 2006 -- The Enhanced Protective Glass Automotive Association (EPGAA) has appointed Pete Dishart as its new president, and Chuck Butler as its new treasurer. Comprised of glass and laminate providers, the EPGAA works to educate consumers and the automotive industry about the benefits of using enhanced protective glass in side and rear windows, and roof applications.

"Pete and Chuck's dedication to the association and years of experience in the automotive glass industry make them ideal candidates for these positions," said Mike Sanders, global business manager, Energy Storage Solutions, DuPont Nonwovens, former president, EPGAA. "I am confident in their ability to further extend the association's reach and further increase the adoption of using laminated glass in applications other than windshield."

Dishart, a global product manager for PPG Industries Inc., brings more than 18 years of industry experience to the EPGAA. At PPG, Dishart is responsible for managing a variety of products, including Safe and Sound(R) laminated automotive glass for the Automotive Glass OEM Products business unit of PPG.

Butler is the Americas Automotive Marketing Manager for DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions and has a total of 13 years of industry experience. In this position, Butler is responsible for the marketing of DuPont's wide range of glass laminating products including Butacite(R) PVB, Spallshield(R) composite, and SentryGlas(R) Plus(TM) ionomer sheeting.

Laminated glass is a high-impact resistant glass technology that automakers and car buyers have trusted for use in windshields for more than 60 years. In addition to windshield applications, laminated glass is being used by some automakers in side and rear window, and roof applications to provide security, occupant comfort and safety.

Security:

With a tough plastic interlayer between two glass panes, laminated glass significantly increases resistance to vehicle intrusion, taking up to 10 times as long to penetrate compared to standard tempered side windows -- enough time delay to deter most would-be thieves.

Sound Reduction:

The interlayer in laminated glass reduces the transmission of outside wind and road noises, keeping the car interior quieter and more comfortable. Acoustic studies note that laminated glass reduces interior noise by three to four decibels, allowing for better conversation and use of entertainment equipment. This benefit allows automakers to offer consumers a vehicle with additional value without significantly increasing the cost of the vehicle.

Safety:

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), when used in a system that includes side curtain air bags, laminated glass could help save up to 1,300 lives annually and reduce occupant ejection in accidents involving vehicle rollovers.

Thermal:

Vehicles equipped with laminated glass can easily add infrared (IR) coatings to block IR heat energy. Testing has shown when vehicles equipped with these coatings are parked in the sun with the windows closed, the laminated glass may reduce the effects of solar heat on the vehicle. Test results prove the interior of the vehicle can be up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than if the side windows were equipped with untreated tempered glass.

Ultraviolet:

Comprehensive testing conducted by the EPGAA proves that cars with laminated glass can protect passengers from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, which has been associated with skin cancer. The testing has found that laminated glass screens up to 98 percent of damaging UV rays, providing UV protection equivalent to 50+ SPF sunscreen.

In addition to protecting skin, the blocking of UV light by laminated glass provides protection to the interior of vehicles. Laminated glass minimizes the effects of UV rays in causing interior vehicle fabric colors to fade and degrade, leather to age, and plastic and wood to crack.

About the EPGAA

The Enhanced Protective Glass Automotive Association (EPGAA) is composed of interlayer and glass providers whose purpose is to provide information and overall education on the development of laminated glass for added vehicle security, occupant comfort and safety. Currently, DuPont Automotive; Glasstech, Inc.; Guardian Industries Corp.; PPG Industries, Inc.; Saint-Gobain Sekurit; Sekisui America Corporation and Solutia Automotive are members of the EPGAA. For more information on the EPGAA, visit http://www.epgaa.com/ .