Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Extends its Habitat Offer via the Acquisition of Solar Gard

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics has just signed an agreement to wholly acquire the businesses making up the Bekaert Specialty Films (BSF) activity of the Belgian Group Bekaert. This business, operating under the name Solar Gard, is specialized in the development, manufacturing and distribution of coated films used on the habitat market (architectural glazing for residential and commercial buildings), the automotive market, and various industrial applications. As a coating and processing expert, Solar Gard produces solar control films that contribute to reduce energy consumption, tinted films to ensure privacy, and security films to protect against window breakage during break-ins blasts and storms. Sold through both internal distribution and installation centers and a network of independent dealers, these products are installed on glass in a large number of buildings and vehicles all over the world.

Founded in 1998, Solar Gard has two manufacturing facilities, in San Diego (California) in the US and in Zulte (Belgium), and is currently developing an activity in China. Sales in 2010 reached $150 million (EUR 104 million).

This acquisition is right in line with Saint-Gobain's strategy to become the reference in sustainable habitat. Through it, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics will be able to extend its range of solutions for energy efficient buildings, reinforce its sales network and leverage more synergies with Saint-Gobain's Glass Activity.

The intended acquisition will be submitted for approval to the required anti-trust authorities.

Saint-Gobain

Located in 64 countries and with almost 190,000 employees, Saint-Gobain, world leader in habitat, designs, manufactures and distributes building materials, providing innovative solutions to meet the challenges of growth, energy-saving and environmental protection. World leader in high performance plastics, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics is headquartered in Aurora, Ohio (USA). The company employs 4,400 employees in 15 countries. Its product offer includes films, foams, coated fabrics, bearings, seals and fluid systems.

More information on www.saint-gobain.com and www.plastics.saint-gobain.com.

About Saint-Gobain in North America

Saint-Gobain, the world's largest building products manufacturer, has its North American headquarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  As the world leader in sustainable habitat, Saint-Gobain is committed to inventing solutions to help professionals and communities around the world build and renovate comfortable, healthy, economical and energy efficient buildings. The company has over 265 locations in North America, and approximately 19,000 employees. In the United States and Canada, Saint-Gobain reported sales of approximately $7.3 billion in 2010. Recognized as a 2009 and 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Saint-Gobain earned the 2011 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award, the highest level of recognition for outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency. For information about Saint-Gobain in North America, visit www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com

Bekaert

Bekaert (www.bekaert.com) is a global technological leader in its two core competences: advanced metal transformation and coatings, and a market leader in drawn wire products and applications. Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is a global company with headquarters in Belgium, employing 28 000 people worldwide. Serving customers in 120 countries, Bekaert pursues sustainable profitable growth in all its activities and generated combined sales of EUR 4.5 billion in 2010.

SOURCE Saint-Gobain Corporation