Bayer MaterialScience Joint Venture Company Exatec Receives Award for Polycarbonate Glazing Technology

Bayer MaterialScience announced that Exatec has received the Frost & Sullivan 2006 Award for Technology Innovation in the field of automotive glazing for its successful innovations in polycarbonate (PC) glazing. In presenting this award, Frost & Sullivan commends Exatec for excelling in the introduction of new products designed to meet the needs of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation is given to the company that has demonstrated technological superiority within its industry. This award recognizes the ability of the company to successfully develop and introduce new technology, formulate a well-designed product family and make significant product performance contributions to the industry. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

Exatec, a Bayer MaterialScience joint venture company, has adopted a comprehensive research and development approach to PC glazing systems. The company has developed products and technologies for PC glazing that show long-term weatherability to meet requirements of automotive OEMs. Bayer MaterialScience is engaged in parallel efforts to develop new automotive glazing application solutions using its Makrolon® PC resin.

"Exatec's technology development centers are focused on market and technology development, thereby continuously improving the cost competitiveness and performance of its PC glazing systems," said Frost & Sullivan research manager Brian Balmer. "The company's technical breakthroughs have enabled it to meet the high standards arising from a combination of regulatory requirements for driver visibility and OEM requirements for quality and aesthetics."

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has confirmed that the EXATEC® 900 Polycarbonate Glazing System can be certified for all window locations, with the exception of the windshield, and can be used in automotive glazing provided that existing regulatory requirements are met. According to Bayer MaterialScience, independent laboratory analysis has shown EXATEC® 900meets regulatory requirements, making it the only PC glazing technology that can be certified for windows requisite for driver visibility, excluding the windshield, in the United States and globally.

Bayer MaterialScience is the leading supplier of polycarbonate to the PC glazing market. The company's Makrolon PC is used in the recently launched DaimlerChrysler Mercedes GL-class roof. In addition, Makrolon PC is used in the quarter windows of DaimlerChrysler's Smart Fortwo and Roadster Coupe, and the side window and roof of its Smart Forfour model. Other applications include the transparent body panel of the Mercedes C-Class Coupe and the lamella roof of the Mercedes A-Class and B-Class models.

"The automobile industry is recognizing the distinct advantages of polycarbonate glazing over glass, which is driving the increased adoption of polycarbonate automobile glazing here in the United States and around the world," said Rainer Schorr, senior vice president and head, Polycarbonate Business Unit, North America, for Bayer MaterialScience LLC. "The use of Makrolon polycarbonate resin in automotive glazing is indicative of how Bayer MaterialScience's approach to innovation is impacting the design, development and commercialization of cutting-edge automotive applications."

"The award is a significant and independent recognition of the contribution of Exatec to enabling competitive PC glazing technology in the automotive market. Exatec technology is now recognized as the clear market leader driving a major material change from glass to polycarbonate in automotive applications," added Clemens Kaiser, CEO of Exatec. "We are proud that Frost & Sullivan has chosen Exatec for this prestigious award. Both technological innovation and the ability to introduce new, game-changing technologies into the market are what make Exatec a clear leader and significant influence in the industry."

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