Sabic Uses PC Automotive Glazing for Fiat Launch
December 18, 2012

Sabic's innovative plastics business has adopted the use of polycarbonate (PC) glazing materials for automotive windows; specifically for use in the new Fiat 500L multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).

The MPV features rear fixed side windows molded from the company's clear Lexan GLX resin and its black Cycoloy resin. The company says using these resins as opposed to glass will "help reduce [vehicle] weight by about 35 percent, improve aerodynamic efficiency and achieve the desired styling versus glass."

The Fiat 500L is already available in Europe and is expected to launch in the United States in early 2013. The company adds that, "The rear fixed side windows of the vehicle will be the first in the United States to use two-shot injection compression molding, which allows for the seamless integration of an aerodynamic spoiler."

"Sabic's polycarbonate glazing materials and expertise enabled us to achieve all of our goals for the rear fixed side windows of the 500L, including weight-out, sleek aerodynamics and cutting-edge styling," says Carlo Torreggiani of Fiat's group materials labs, polymers and glasses department. "Compared to glass, Sabic's glazing materials gave us greater freedom to create the distinctive and desired window shape and promote the aerodynamic efficiency and fuel economy of the vehicle. It is all about maximum style at a minimum cost per mile for our customers, and we will continue to explore the opportunities presented by polycarbonate glazing materials to make further progress."

"Polycarbonate glazing technology and resins are production-ready and are increasingly being adopted by forward-looking automakers like Fiat, and we are pleased to have collaborated with our valued customer on this next chapter of the iconic 500 vehicle series," says V. Umamaheswaran (UV), Sabic director of marketing for automotive, innovative plastics. "Polycarbonate glazing is a cutting-edge technology that is viable and available now for automakers. They can use these materials today on their mass-market vehicles to cut weight by up to 50 percent for some parts and, as we see with the Fiat 500L, add value in the flexibility of design and help improve aerodynamics as well. Sabic continues to build upon our already strong know-how in automotive glazing and further invest in developing Lexan resin and our advanced Exatec coating systems to support our customers' present and future needs."

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