KINGSPORT, Tenn., October 25, 2012 - Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE: EMN) today announced that it has completed its Saflex® Q series advanced acoustic polyvinyl butyral (PVB) extrusion line in Ghent, Belgium. The facility produces multi-layer rolls of Saflex® Q series sheet for automotive applications.
“The combination of these films and interlayers, which are laminated between two pieces of glass in a vehicle’s windscreen or side windows, represent a significant step forward in providing high performance benefits for both automotive consumers and OEMs,” says Eric Nichols, vice president of Advanced Interlayers. “These high performance interlayers assist in making cars quieter while helping to control interior temperatures and the overall energy performance of the car.” Advanced interlayers products are part of Eastman’s Advanced Materials segment.
The Ghent expansion will serve the growing global market demand for high performance acoustic automotive glazing. Nearly one in three new cars in Europe has acoustic glass, and one in six cars worldwide is being produced with acoustic dampening technology. The market for acoustic glazing is expected to grow more quickly over the next five years as automakers seek ways to reduce wind noise and improve functionality with on-board telematics and decreased glass thickness.
“This investment will enable us to continue to lead in the automotive acoustics category and allow us to further innovate and develop our comprehensive product portfolio offering for automotive glazing,” Nichols said.
