Exatec, ULVAC Announce Technology Collaboration

Exatec LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SABICInnovative Plastics, and ULVAC are collaborating to accelerate cost-effective,high-volume production of weatherable, scratch-resistant, plasma-coated Lexanpolycarbonate (PC) resin for vehicle windows. Under the agreement, ULVAC willmanufacture turnkey mass production systems that leverage its' expertise inhigh-volume vacuum equipment and Exatec's proprietary plasma coatingtechnology.

The combined ULVAC and Exatec technologies will helpautomakers and tiers replace heavier glass windows with Lexan resin glazing tomeet upcoming regulations for lower CO₂ emissions and also provide greater design freedom and cost reductionthrough parts consolidation. It also offers other industries - particularlyconsumer electronics - durable and abrasion-resistant coating solutions for abroad range of products.

More stringent vehicle emission restrictions areplanned in major automotive markets. In the U.S., new rules mandatethat by 2016, vehicles must get an average of 35.5 miles per gallon. In Europe,mandatory reductions of CO₂ emissions aim to reach 130gCO₂/km(.46lbs/mile) in 2015 for the average new car fleet, and 95g/km (.35lbs/mile)by 2020.