SABIC Innovative Plastics Delivers Creative Glazing Solutions for Guangzhou Automobile First Concept Car

SABIC Innovative Plastics Delivers Creative Glazing Solutions for
Guangzhou Automobile First Concept Car

Glazing solutions from SABIC Innovative Plastics helped Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd.’s (GAC) first concept vehicle turn heads at Auto Guangzhou 2007.

Replacing traditional glass, Lexan* GLX polycarbonate (PC) resin glazing with Exatec* coating delivers what consumers are clamoring for – edgy style with lower weight for better performance, handling, and fuel economy. As a leading materials supplier to the China market, SABIC Innovative Plastics created stunning components that raise this five-door monovolumn-style A-HEV (Advance Hybrid Electrical Vehicle concept) to the level of art. With unique and complex glazing designs, the A-HEV brings the outdoors into the vehicle for a more-compelling driving experience.

“Our participation in this landmark project attests to SABIC Innovative Plastics’ strong and growing presence in China’s auto industry,” said Eric Herman, general manager, Automotive, China, SABIC Innovative Plastics. “It has been an honor to play a key role in the design of this beautiful and practical concept vehicle. Our Lexan GLX glazing technology enabled Guangzhou Automobile Group’s designers to break new ground in styling and practicality – in fact, many of the components simply could not have been created in any material but Lexan GLX resin. We look forward to expanding our work with China’s automakers by bringing the aesthetic and performance benefits of lightweight, impact-resistant glazing solutions to consumers.”

The GAC A-HEV concept car 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.

Lexan GLX glazing offers the vehicles of tomorrow a winning combination of design flexibility to promote creativity and part consolidation; light weight to boost fuel economy; and impact resistance for occupant safety. 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.

For this design and future projects, SABIC Innovative Plastics offers Chinese automakers the value-added services of its Glazing Center of Excellence in Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands. The facility is aimed at helping customers around the world design, create, and process innovative auto glazing applications using Lexan GLX PC resins and other plastics engineered materials. The company has invested significant resources to support customers in the creation of exceptional glazing applications. With the incorporation of Exatec glazing technologies alongside the Lexan GLX PC glazing portfolio, SABIC Innovative Plastics is able to deliver the full range of PC glazing solutions. These include coating technologies such as plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and silicone hard-coats; printing technologies such as optimized screen-printing, 3D printing and conductive ink systems; optimized bonding methods; defroster printing and design technologies; electroluminescent ambient lighting; and fractal antenna technology for flush, hidden antennas.

SABIC Innovative Plastics is a global supplier of plastics 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. Polycarbonate glazing technologies are developed and implemented by Exatec LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SABIC Innovative Plastics.

SABIC Innovative Plastics is part of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), one of the 10 largest petrochemicals manufacturers in the world.

For additional information on SABIC Innovative Plastics please visit the company’s website.

* Trademarks of SABIC Innovative Plastics IP BV.

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