Horgen, Switzerland - September 30, 2010
Styron today announced the launch of a polycarbonate specialty solution for transparent polycarbonate (PC) sheet applications in the European building and construction industry. By applying Styron's transparent near infra-red (TNIR) specialty grade XZ 94258.00 as a co-extruded layer to their PC sheets, extruders will be able to offer an innovative and cost-effective solution to make buildings more energy efficient by reducing solar heating. At the same time, the new specialty layer provides a uniquely pleasant interior ambiance.
Reducing air-conditioning costs
As end-consumers are gradually becoming more environmentally conscious, the building and construction industry is seeing an increasing demand for more energy efficiency and for eco-friendly solutions. Buildings with large transparent surfaces often face the challenge of solar heating caused by the sun's infrared rays, increasing the need for temperature controls and air conditioning. Styron's new solution will appeal to end-users looking to save on air-conditioning costs, thanks to the near infrared blocking properties of this new product when applied to transparent sheet.
Surpassing tints for more transparency
Styron's new solution overcomes the color disadvantages of incumbent polycarbonate-based near-infrared blocking solutions. Styron's innovation was to develop a specialty combining near infrared blocking properties with a neutral tint, providing the buildings with a comfortable and pleasant interior ambiance.
For cost effective sheet production
On top of this unique combination of properties, Styron offers a cost effective solution by establishing a multilayer concept. Styron recommends that this new specialty grade is applied as a separate, co-extruded layer in between the bulk polycarbonate and the UV blocking top layer of the sheet. This technique is considerably more cost effective than the incumbent solution of adding near infrared blockers to the bulk PC. In addition, sheet extruders will benefit from the fact that this solution can be applied with the standard procedures and equipment currently used to apply UV blockers.
"Extruders come to us for innovative solutions that give them a competitive edge in addressing some of the challenges the building and constructing industry faces," says Nicolas Joly, Global Marketing Manager for Sheet Extrusion. "With this new specialty grade, Styron is providing a cost effective solution to improve energy efficiency of buildings, whilst maintaining high transparency and offering a pleasant, neutral tint. This new addition to Styron's portfolio will enable our customers expand their offering with a unique solution for the building and construction industry."
Styron has filed an application patent for its recommended multilayer concept. For more information about Styron's offering for polycarbonate sheet, please visit www.styron.com/eu/en/industries/extrusion/clear.htm
About Styron
Styron is a leading global materials company, dedicated to innovate and deliver for its customers. Styron's unique and balanced product portfolio brings together plastics, rubber and latex businesses that share feedstocks, operations, customers and end users. Styron has a leadership position in its two flagship products, polystyrene and latex. The company benefits from global scale, a long-standing tradition of unrivaled customer relationships and a robust innovation pipeline. Styron has approximately $5 billion in revenue (2010), with 20 manufacturing sites in all geographies. Styron's 2,100 employees are committed to listen to customers' needs and provide them with innovative and sustainable solutions in markets such as appliances, automotive, building & construction, carpet, commercial transportation, consumer electronics, consumer goods, electrical & lighting, medical, packaging, paper & paperboard, rubber goods and tires. More information about Styron can be found at www.styron.com.
Styron is a leading global materials company, dedicated to innovate and deliver for its customers. Styron's unique and balanced product portfolio brings together plastics, rubber and latex businesses that share feedstocks, operations, customers and end users. Styron has a leadership position in its two flagship products, polystyrene and latex. The company benefits from global scale, a long-standing tradition of unrivaled customer relationships and a robust innovation pipeline. Styron has approximately $5 billion in revenue (2010), with 20 manufacturing sites in all geographies. Styron's 2,100 employees are committed to listen to customers' needs and provide them with innovative and sustainable solutions in markets such as appliances, automotive, building & construction, carpet, commercial transportation, consumer electronics, consumer goods, electrical & lighting, medical, packaging, paper & paperboard, rubber goods and tires. More information about Styron can be found at www.styron.com.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided in the above report contains "forward-looking statements". The forward-looking statements rely on a number of uncertainties or other factors which are out of Styron's control. Styron does not undertake to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements.
The technical descriptions and information provided in the above report are not legally binding. The quality of our products will be specified in individual contracts with our customers. Unless otherwise explicitly agreed, the official product specification shall prevail in the form published from time to time.
For Editorial Information:
Philipp Zimmermann
Styron Europe GmbH
+41 44 728 32 45
Nicholas Courant
Porter Novelli
+32 2 413 03 40
nicholas.courant@porternovelli.be
Charlie Simpson
Porter Novelli
+32 02 413 03 40
charles.simpson@porternovelli.com