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BEIJING,
China --
April
20, 2008 Showcasing the enormous potential of thermoplastic resins and composites for stunning yet pragmatic automotive design, SABIC Innovative Plastics is highlighting key solutions for lightweight glazing and body panels at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2008). Through the use of high-tech glazing systems, sustainable resins, and other innovations, the company continues to demonstrate how it can help China’s automakers and suppliers meet local and global requirements ranging from upscale styling to environmental responsibility. SABIC Innovative Plastics is a global pioneer in engineering thermoplastics for the auto industry with a long history of breakthrough ideas. Glazing systems are a key focus area for SABIC Innovative Plastics because glass replacement addresses two important objectives for automakers: weight-out and enhanced design. Compared to glass, the company’s Lexan GLX* high-performance polycarbonate (PC) glazing with exclusive Exatec coating technology not only significantly reduces the weight of windows, sunroofs, and other components for reduced fuel consumption and emissions, but also provides tremendous design freedom. The company is combining weight reduction with sustainability in its iQ* resins for body panels and other components. Xenoy iQ* resins for large components such as fenders, doors and hoods, and Valox iQ* materials for bezels, door handles, and connectors address three critical environmental concerns: conserving energy, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and upcycling or regenerating post-consumer waste such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles. The following examples show how SABIC Innovative Plastics’ materials are being featured in the latest concept and experimental vehicles. GAC Advanced Hybrid Electrical Vehicle (A-HEV) Concept Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd.’s (GAC) first concept vehicle features door and fender inserts, a panoramic roof that flows seamlessly into the windscreen, and a two-part tailgate window – all designed using Lexan GLX PC glazing with Exatec coating technology. These components are integrated with printing, defrost, and hidden antenna technologies. Compared to the design restrictions of glass, Lexan GLX resin can be formed into complicated, three-dimensional shapes. The material also reduces weight by about 50 percent vs. glass, helping to optimize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. By integrating components together the cost of lightweight Lexan GLX glazing components is no more than equivalent laminated glass. Land Rover LRX Concept Land Rover’s LRX concept car, a three-door premium cross-coupé prototype features a unique panoramic roof and side and rear windows made from SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Lexan GLX high-performance plastic glazing with exclusive Exatec coating technology. As a result of a close collaboration with Land Rover, SABIC Innovative Plastics was able to contribute to the automaker’s objective of using lighter weight and more sustainable materials on the LRX concept. Through the use of Lexan* PC resin with Exatec coating, Land Rover was able to design differently and reduce each LRX’s overall weight by close to 19 kilograms. OPEL Flextreme Concept SABIC Innovative Plastics worked with General Motors to adapt leading-edge technologies used in the Chevrolet Volt concept for the OPEL Flextreme. The company’s lightweight Lexan glazing materials significantly reduce part weight for better fuel economy while enhancing safety and expanding design freedom. Its polymer material innovations complement the E-Flex architecture and showcase energy-saving transparent window glazing and lightweight body panel technologies. For more information on SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Lexan, Xenoy iQ, and Valox iQ resins, please visit the company’s website at www.sabic-ip.com. About SABIC Innovative Plastics SABIC Innovative Plastics is a global supplier of plastic resins widely used in automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, performance packaging, building and construction, telecommunications and optical media applications. The company manufactures and compounds polycarbonate, ABS, ASA, PPE, PC/ABS, PBT and PEI resins, as well as the LNP* line of high-performance specialty compounds, under such well known brand names as Lexan*, Cycolac*, Geloy*, Noryl*, Cycoloy*, Valox* and Ultem*. The Specialty Film and Sheet division of SABIC Innovative Plastics manufactures high-performance Lexan sheet and film products used in thousands of demanding applications worldwide. The dedicated automotive organization is an experienced, worldwide supplier, offering leading plastics solutions for five key automotive segments: body panels and glazing; under the hood applications; component; structures and interiors; and lighting. SABIC Innovative Plastics is part of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), one of the 10 largest petrochemicals manufacturers in the world. # # # * Trademark of SABIC Innovative Plastics IP BV. Media Note: The proper name of the company is SABIC Innovative Plastics, and excludes any abbreviations or variations when referring to the company. As an acronym, SABIC should be all caps whenever it appears in print. For more information contact:SABIC Innovative Plastics Media Contacts
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