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October 1, 2008
SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
Launch of Sales of New Interlayer Films for Laminated Glass for Automobiles
- Development of Two New Functions
The High Performance Plastics Company (President: Takayoshi Matsunaga) of SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (President and Representative Director: Naotake Okubo, hereinafter referred to as "SEKISUI CHEMICAL") is pleased to announce that the successive launch in autumn this year of its new interlayer film for laminated glass for automobiles "S-LEC® SSF-W (sound and solar control interlayer film)," a wedge-shaped high performance interlayer film for "Head-up Display (hereinafter referred to as "HUD")", "SAF-W (sound insulating interlayer film) and S-LEC® SDF-C," an interlayer film for a front glass that extends up over the roof.
1. Background
Interlayer films for laminated glass for automobiles represent the core product of the automotive materials business being developed by the High Performance Plastics Company. SEKISUI CHEMICAL is in the process of global expansion of its manufacture and sales of interlayer films for laminates and, with its extensive product line-up that includes high performance interlayer films, boasts the top share of 42% (Estimated by SEKISUI CHEMICAL, FY2007) of the global automotive market.
In addition to safety, factors such as comfort and environmental performance have become the focus of attention in the world of automobiles in recent years. Against this background, while in addition to basic interlayer film functions such as safety and crime prevention, SEKISUI CHEMICAL has been pursuing sound insulation and solar control functions, it has also made advances in developments aimed at the realization of comfort and environmental performance.
2. Concerning the New Products
SEKISUI CHEMICAL has applied its unique multi-layer extrusion and nano-dispersal technologies to produce a special wedge-shaped film and this has led to the successful development of an interlayer film for HUD with sound insulation and solar control functions. This enables display on the glass of the front window of information needed while driving such as speedometer readouts, reducing the need for the driver to shift his/her line of vision and focus, facilitating vehicular operation. This is the world's first interlayer film product that combines these functions.
Please note that the wedge-shaped high performance interlayer film for HUD is manufactured at the Shiga Minakuchi Plant.
Features
By applying its multi-layer extrusion technology, SEKISUI CHEMICAL has successfully developed an interlayer film for front glass that extends up over the roof that incorporates a colored layer covering a maximum of 80 cm of the total roof length of 165 cm. This produces a sense of spaciousness in the vehicle and supports advanced automobile design.
Please note that the interlayer film for front glass that extends up over the roof is manufactured at the company's plant in the Netherlands. Additionally, plans are in place for the manufacture and sales of the product with an additional sound insulation function.
Features
<Reference>
Concerning the SEKISUI CHEMICAL's Interlayer Film Business
SEKISUI CHEMICAL's interlayer film business is expanding due to increased production volume to meet the needs of heightened automobile production levels in Asia and enlargement of the area of glass used in a single automobile. Additionally, demand for high performance interlayer film such as sound insulating film, solar control film, and sound and solar control film is on the increase to meet the needs of enhanced levels of on-board comfort in Japan, Europe and the Americas.
At the present time, SEKISUI CHEMICAL's sound insulating film is used one out of every seven new automobiles (Estimated by SEKISUI CHEMICAL, FY2007), showing a steady rate of expansion. Moreover, demand in Asia centered on China for standard interlayer film is also steadily increasing. Taking advantage of this trend, SEKISUI CHEMICAL has decided to invest approximately 10 billion yen to strengthen the manufacturing capacity at its plants in Shiga Minakuchi and China (Announced on July 8, 2008). SEKISUI CHEMICAL plans to make positive advances through the development and expansion of sales of high performance interlayer film at the same time as expanding its interlayer film business through strategies including the expansion of manufacturing bases in BRICs countries such as China and India, where automobile production continues to grow. SEKISUI CHEMICAL's business goal is to achieve a 44% share of the global market in FY2010.
List of Interlayer Film Manufacturing Bases
*: Also manufacturing interlayer film for HUD
**:Also manufacturing interlayer film for front glass that extends up over the roof
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