PRESS RELEASE
August 23, 1996
Southwall will exhibit at GLASTEC, Oct.22-26,
Hall 5, Stand 5 H 42

Southwall to supply film
for Pilkington Automotive's
new solar control glass

Southwall Technologies Inc. has received a US$ 1 million order from Flachglas Automotive GMBH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pilkington Automotive, one of the world's largest glass suppliers, for Southwall's patented Heat Mirror XIR solar control film.
The order is the first part of a three-year, multi-million-dollar contract. The Southwall films will become the key interlayer component of Pilkington's new Siglasol and Sigladur solar control products for laminated windscreens, sidelights and backlights.

These products, Pilkington asserts, reflect up to four times as much solar energy as conventional tinted glass, substantially reducing direct radiant heat, enhancing occupant comfort and reducing the need to use environmentally-damaging auto air conditioners.
Southwall reports that major German automotive companies have tested Siglasol for several years and have indicated it will be included as original equipment on various high-end models and platform years in the near future. Pilkington says that Siglasol has met all European Union quality specifications and has been approved by the Material Prüfungsamt (Germany's Material Testing Authority.)
Mr William B. Roberts, Pilkington Automotive's product development director, and Mr Robert L. Hier, director of Southwall's European H.Q. office in Belgium, noted that the new contract highlights and strengthens the ongoing close relationship between their firms. "Together we have found a solution to the demanding requirements for curved automotive glass," Mr Roberts said. "This is a very significant development for the auto industry. Laminated automotive glass with XIR films offer significant performance benefits over existing auto glass."
Southwall Technologies designs and produces thin-film coatings that selectively absorb, reflect or transmit certain types of electromagnetic radiation. The company's products are sold into the automotive, architectural, electronics and aerospace markets worldwide. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA. XIR is a registered trademark of Southwall Technologies Inc. Siglasol and Sigladur are registered trademarks of Pilkington Automotive./ins

Illustration caption:
Southwall Technologies' Heat Mirror XIR coating will be the key interlayer component of Pilkington Automotive's new Siglasol and Sigladur solar-control automotive glass.

Photo caption:
Dr K. P. Hanke of Flachglas Automotive and Tom Hood, senior vice president of Southwall Technologies, Inc., with a vehicle equipped with Pilkington's new Siglasol and Sigladur solar control automotive glass.
(© Southwall Technologies, Inc.)




For further information, please contact:
Southwall Technologies Inc.
Robert L. Hier
Chaussée de Bruxelles 233, B-4
B-1410 Waterloo
Belgium
Tel: +32-2-354-4327
Fax: +32-2-354-4519



N.B.: This text is available on 3.5" disk (Word 5.1a) formatted for Macintosh or PC.