Southwall Technologies and Dow Corning Corporation Join Forces to Launch Energy-Efficient Products for Glass-Intensive Commercial Projects in North America

Industry leaders combine energy-saving technologies that enable architects and window manufacturers to dramatically improve glazing performance of large-scale commercial buildings

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visit us at Greenbuild, Booth 1139 – Southwall Technologies Inc. (OTCBB:SWTX) and Dow Corning Corporation today announced the availability of energy-efficient Heat Mirror® “S” film and 982FS two-part structural silicone sealant for commercial building projects in North America. Having successfully worked together over the past three decades, the two companies are now combining the best of their suspended film and silicone sealant technologies to provide the industry’s lightest weight and most energy efficient multi-cavity insulating glass available for large glass-intensive projects. With the combined solution, architects and window manufacturers can now increase energy savings by up to 30 percent, block over 99 percent of UV radiation and reduce sound transmission by up to 20 percent over dual-pane glass.

“Having worked with Southwall for many years, we are excited to join forces yet again to offer this energy-saving solution to the North American market”

Southwall Technologies suspends one or more of its energy-saving Heat Mirror films inside of an insulating glass unit to create two or more super-insulating cavities – enabling high performance glass that is 33 percent lighter than typical triple-pane solutions. Based upon an advanced thin film coating which is fully compatible with Dow Corning® 982FS two-part structural silicone sealant and Dow Corning® 982-H Curing Agent, Heat Mirror “S” film delivers superior performance as compared to traditional dual-pane glass.

“Until now, there has not been a viable super-insulating glass solution in North America for large-scale, structural glazing projects,” said Dennis Capovilla, president and chief executive officer of Southwall Technologies. “Dow Corning’s two-part silicone sealant provides a solution and opens up North America’s commercial building market to our industry-proven Heat Mirror technology. We are proud to work with Dow Corning to deliver innovative technologies to the green building industry and provide customers with superior durability and energy efficiency.”

Dow Corning® 982FS and Dow Corning® 982-H Curing Agent is designed for use as a secondary sealant in dual-sealed insulating glass units. Dow Corning has the only approved silicone sealants that can be used as a secondary edge seal in multiple pane insulating glass units with Southwall Heat Mirror “S” series commercial construction product. Curing to form a durable, long-lasting and flexible silicone seal that is chemically stable, 982FS creates a weather-tight bond and offers excellent unprimed adhesion to glass. The silicone insulating glass sealant’s unique weatherability enables it to retain design properties even after years of exposure, ultimately enhancing commercial buildings’ durability levels and structural capabilities.

“Having worked with Southwall for many years, we are excited to join forces yet again to offer this energy-saving solution to the North American market,” said Ron Fillmore, vice president construction for Dow Corning. “Structural sealant glazing has quickly grown to account for one-third of all commercial glazing. Leveraging Southwall Technologies’ innovative Heat Mirror “S” technology and our proven silicone sealant, we look forward to driving this market and enabling customers to develop some of the most breathtaking, energy-efficient and durable structures in North America.”

Southwall Technologies and Dow Corning will showcase this solution at Greenbuild 2010 in Chicago, November 17 – 19, booth number 1139.

About Southwall Technologies

Southwall Technologies Inc. is recognized as a leader in the development and manufacture of high performance, energy-saving films and glass products that dramatically improve the energy efficiency of residential, commercial and automotive glass. Southwall is an ISO 9001:2000/14001 certified manufacturer with customers in over 25 countries.

About Dow Corning Corporation

Dow Corning provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, Dow Corning offers more than 7,000 products and services via the company’s Dow Corning® and XIAMETER® brands. Dow Corning is a joint venture equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning's annual sales are outside the United States.