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PPG Aerospace Shows Darker Electrochromic Window Shade Option at NBAA

^{Published on 2010-10-17 08:25:52 - Market Wire}
 

ATLANTA--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Aircraft passengers will be able to block more light from coming through cabin windows with a new option for dimmable window shades by PPG Industriesa™ (NYSE:PPG) aerospace transparencies group. The dual-panel version of ALTEOS(TM) Interactive Window Systems, which use Gentex Corp. (NASDAQ:GNTX) electrochromic technology, shuts out more light than the standard systems to meet general-aviation interest.

"With two electrochromic panels, Alteos Interactive Window Systems reach a darker state, which general-aviation aircraft manufacturers told us they wanted"

PPG Aerospace is featuring the darker alternative for Alteos Interactive Window Systems at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention. An interactive demonstration in PPG Aerospacea™s exhibit at booth 4053 allows visitors to see the new version. The NBAA convention is Oct. 19-21 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Alteos Interactive Window Systems allow passengers to control the amount of light coming through windows, switching from a bright, clear state to a dark state and intermediate levels. The standard systems use a single electrochromic panel installed between the inboard dust cover and outboard structural cabin window system.

aWith two electrochromic panels, Alteos Interactive Window Systems reach a darker state, which general-aviation aircraft manufacturers told us they wanted,a said Ryan Aspy, PPG Aerospace market development manager. aThe standard systems and new version provide optical clarity and offer a broad dimming range.a

Alteos Interactive Window Systems by PPG Aerospace are the worlda™s first electrochromic window systems for commercial and business aircraft passenger cabins and the only certified systems being installed on new production aircraft, according to Aspy. They use Gentex electrochromic technology, which has been proven in nearly 150 million rearview mirrors over more than 20 years in the automotive industry. Alteos Interactive Window Systems are certified on the Beechcraft King Air 350i airplane, he said.

Alteos Interactive Window Systemsreplace pull-down, mechanical and other types of window shades for enhanced passenger comfort, interior aesthetics and aircraft operating efficiency, Aspy said. aUnlike older opaque shades, they enable passengers to maintain a view while dimming the window to reduce glare, and they can be darkened for sleeping or watching a movie,a he said.

Electrochromics is the process of reversibly darkening specially prepared transparent materials through controlled application of an electric current.

The passenger-cabin windows in the PPG exhibit at the NBAA convention also have a solar-reflective coating that reduces solar transmittance by about half, compared with an uncoated stretched-acrylic cabin window, while maintaining high visible light transmittance, according to Aspy.

aWe have transparency options available for airframe manufacturers that enable them to offer their customers innovative ways to make air travel more comfortable,a Aspy said.

PPG Aerospace is the aerospace products and services business of PPG Industries. PPG Aerospace a" Transparencies is the worlda™s largest supplier of aircraft windshields, windows and canopies. PPG Aerospace a" PRC-DeSoto is the leading global producer and distributor of aerospace coatings, sealants, and packaging and application systems.

About Gentex

Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (Nasdaq Global Select Market: GNTX) is the leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and camera-based active safety systems to the global automotive industry. The Company also provides smoke alarms and signaling devices to the North American fire protection market, and electrochromic technology for dimmable aircraft window systems for the commercial, business and general aviation markets. Based in Zeeland, Michigan, the international Company develops, manufactures and markets interior and exterior automatic-dimming automotive rearview mirrors that utilize proprietary electrochromic technology to dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle headlamps. More than half of the Companya™s interior mirrors are sold with advanced electronic features, and more than 97 percent of the Companya™s revenues are derived from the sale of auto-dimming mirrors to nearly every major automaker in the world. Gentex is an AS9100 certified supplier. For more information, visit [ www.gentex.com ].

About PPG

PPG Industriesa™ vision is to continue to be the worlda™s leading coatings and specialty products company. Founded in 1883, the company serves customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2009 were $12.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit [ www.ppg.com ].

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Alteos is a trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.