Solutia Demonstrates Advanced Solar Control, Acoustic Technologies for Automotive Glazing at JSAE

Solutia Inc. (NYSE: SOA) will showcase advanced glazing technologies at their booth during the 2012 Japanese Society of Automotive Engineering (JSAE) World Congress, held May 23 through May 25 in Yokohoma, Japan. Solutia’s booth features the award-winning Saflex® S series advanced solar absorbing polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayers, Saflex® Q series advanced acoustic PVB interlayers and XIR® reflective film products. Visitors will be able to participate in several “hands-on” demonstrations, including a solar heat reduction demonstration showcasing the benefits of Saflex S series advanced solar absorbing interlayers and the company’s newly acquired XIR reflective films. In addition, participants will able to “hear the difference” that Saflex Q series advanced acoustic interlayers make in automotive glazing applications through a new demonstration constructed exclusively for the JSAE event.

“The annual JSAE event is a key platform for Solutia to communicate to Japanese OEMs the critical benefits that Saflex and XIR advanced interlayer technologies bring to vehicle glazing,” said Daisuke Koyama, regional commercial manager, Japan & Korea, for Solutia’s Advanced Interlayers division. “XIR reflective films and Saflex advanced solar and acoustic interlayers address challenges across multiple disciplines, from electric vehicle range and efficiency to noise vibration and harshness (NVH) reduction and passenger comfort.”

“Saflex advanced solar interlayer and XIR reflective film help create a more comfortable cabin environment for passengers by reducing the rate at which the sun heats up a vehicle,” said Danny Hu, Saflex automotive market manager for the Asia Pacific region. “When a vehicle starts off cooler or gains less heat while driving, the air conditioning (A/C) system uses less power to achieve and maintain a desired cabin temperature. This allows automotive designers to use smaller and lighter A/C systems, which also allows electric vehicles the ability to increase the driving range for each charge.”

Comfort and weight savings may also be achieved with the use of Saflex Q series advanced acoustic interlayers in automotive glazing applications. Wind and road noise transmitted through car windows are a major source of a vehicle’s interior noise, can diminish driver satisfaction with ubiquitous audio and hands-free systems and may increase driver fatigue. Using laminated glass made with an advanced Saflex Q series acoustic interlayer, designers can reduce interior noise without increasing the windscreen weight. Switching from an ordinary windscreen to one made with Saflex advanced acoustical interlayer immediately reduces wind and road noise by up to three decibels.

Automotive laminated glass incorporating XIR film, Saflex S series and Saflex Q series technologies are drop-in interlayer solutions that can provide improved cabin comfort, fuel efficiency and CO2 emission reductions on most internal combustion (ICE) vehicles. Solutia’s automotive glazing interlayer products can be used in the windscreen, sunroof, back lites and side laminate applications. For additional product information, including product brochures, technical data, product offering and samples, please visit www.saflex.com.