Solutia Automotive Interlayers Surround Porsche Cayenne

Date: 10 October 2002
Source: Solutia
Solutia Automotive made a high- powered statement with a high-powered vehicle today, announcing the inclusion of its interlayer products on one of the most anticipated vehicle introductions, the Porsche Cayenne sport utility vehicle.

The Cayenne was unveiled on September 25 at the Paris Auto Show. The Cayenne features nearly the full spectrum of interlayers for glass that the company offers.
"The Cayenne is a leap for Porsche, an incredible showcase of the advancement of glazing systems, and for the benefits offered by our products as part of those systems," said Victoria M. Holt, Solutia vice president and general manager of the performance films division. "Porsche cars are renowned for engineering quality, and to be a part of that tradition is truly an honor for our company," continued Holt.

Solutia Automotive provided its Saflex(R) interlayer for the windshield of the vehicle, while its Vanceva(TM) Color interlayer was used in the side glass. This newer category of side glazing is called Enhanced Protective Glass, or EPG. The rear window sandwiches a layer of Solutia interlayer and a 3M film designed to reflect infrared radiation away from the vehicle.

Originally selected by Porsche for its heat reduction properties -- the composite interlayer can reduce heat buildup in a vehicle by 27 - 36 degrees Fahrenheit (15 - 20 degrees Celsius) -- virtually every benefit that results from the use of laminated glass is present on the Cayenne. Other tangible benefits include:

* Sound reduction -- testing of vehicles with laminated side glass versus tempered has shown a reduction of noise intrusion up to six decibels.

* Protection of passengers and interior materials from UV ray penetration -- tests by the Australian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency showed a reduction in UV ray penetration of 90 percent using EPG versus 60 percent using ordinary tempered.

* Protection from interior heat buildup

* Weight reduction -- Laminated glass weighs 11 percent less than comparable tempered glass.

Another benefit comes from the Vanceva(TM) Color interlayer, which adds a design dimension. Use of glass as a design element is on the rise, and Porsche is one of the first automakers to embrace the technique.

A high ranking engineer from Porsche research and development stated, "Reasons for selecting laminated glass for all side lights on the Porsche Cayenne were its remarkably higher intrusion resistance, the convincing thermal comfort offered by reducing sun ray intrusion by 50 percent, and the privacy glazing in the back of the car which was realized by using a colored PVB-film for the laminated glass instead of tinting the whole glass. This is an elegant solution that we are especially proud to be the first to offer."

Solutia Inc. (NYSE: SOI), 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.

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