Re Alliance

 

TIDMCOD 
 
RNS Number : 9280V 
Compagnie de Saint-Gobain 
10 November 2010 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                               November 10, 2010 
 
Saint-Gobain and SAGE Electrochromics join forces to build 
 the world's first 
              large-scale manufacture of electrochromic glass plant 
 
 
Saint-Gobain Glass has acquired 50 percent of the equity of the U.S. company 
SAGE Electrochromicsfor the large-scale manufacture of electrochromic glass. 
Activated by a low-voltage current, electrochromic glass adapts its light and 
heat transmission - and so its tint - to the level of sunlight and the 
building's ambient temperature, without hindering external visibility. It 
significantly reduces the amount of energy consumed for air conditioning, 
heating and lighting, and enhances occupant comfort and well-being. For 
architects, it creates an aesthetic and efficient alternative to the current and 
prevalent use of mechanical window shades and blinds which currently dominate 
the market. 
 
Saint-Gobain Glass and SAGE will build the world's first large-scale 
electrochromic glass plant in Faribault, Minnesota (United States). The project 
which started in November 2010 will cost about 135 million US dollars. It will 
act as the spearhead for electrochromic technology worldwide. The new plant will 
have an annual production capacity of more than 370, 000 square meters (4 
million square feet) of electrochromic glass with sizes ranging up to 1.5 x 3.5 
meters (5 x 10 feet), much larger than currently available in the market. The 
plant is scheduled to begin production starting in mid-2012. Leveraging the 
resultant economies of scale, this innovative glass will be sold at an 
affordable price. 
 
Currently, with more than 100 patents and 40 years' combined research 
experience, the two companies develop the market's most widely recognized 
electrochromic glass. 
 
"This alliance heralds the start of a new revolution in the habitat glass 
industry," said Jean-Pierre Floris, Senior Vice-President of Compagnie de 
Saint-Gobain and President of the Innovative Materials Sector. "Thanks to the 
partnership between Saint-Gobain and SAGE, we are providing electrochromic 
advanced glazing that will be environmentally significant and affordable. SAGE 
and Saint-Gobain, whose names are associated with some of the world's most 
prestigious buildings, will now be providing the most efficient electrochromic 
glazing to the international market through the certified distribution networks 
of Sage and QUANTUM GLASS(TM)." 
 
"Until now, electrochromic glass has been an emerging product, not widely 
deployed due to cost and manufacturing challenges. This alliance will trigger 
economies of scale, making possible a new era of high-performance windows that 
are both eco-friendly and economically sound," said John Van Dine, SAGE Chief 
Executive Office. "We are combining the best science and capabilities of the 
world's two leading electrochromic technologies, and capitalizing on 
Saint-Gobain's glassmaking experience, to deliver a product that's higher 
quality and more durable than ever before, at half the cost of today's 
electrochromic products. This alliance will dramatically accelerate global 
adoption of this game-changing technology in both commercial and residential 
markets." 
 
SAGE will remain an independent company and continue to market its SageGlass 
products in North America where they are used in hundreds of up-market 
commercial, institutional and residential buildings. Saint-Gobain will market 
SageGlass  under the QUANTUM GLASS(TM) brand in Europe. The two companies will 
work together to develop a marketing strategy for Asia and the rest of the 
world, leveraging Saint-Gobain's distribution partnerships. 
 
Two members of the Saint-Gobain management team - Jean-Pierre Floris, Senior 
Vice-President of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and President of the Innovative 
Materials Sector, and Francois-Xavier Moser, Saint-Gobain Glass Solutions 
Managing Director - will join the SAGE Board of Directors, which will also have 
two representatives of the existing shareholders as well as two independent 
directors. 
 
This strategic alliance will open up new prospects for architects and designers, 
by providing creative, affordable and mass-market glass solutions used for the 
design of comfortable, aesthetic, energy-saving and environmentally-friendly 
buildings. 
 
 
About Saint-Gobain 
Saint-Gobain, the world leader in the habitat market, designs, manufactures, and 
distributes building materials, providing innovative solutions to the challenges 
of growth, energy efficiency, and environmental protection. With 2009 sales of 
37.8 billion euros, Saint-Gobain operates in 64 countries and has more than 
190,000 employees. For more information about Saint-Gobain, please visit 
www.saint-gobain.com. 
Created in 2009 as Saint-Gobain's new advanced glazing brand, QUANTUM GLASS(TM) 
is unique in the marketplace in offering six fully integrated, energy-efficient 
glass technologies, the expertise of a dedicated international network of 
certified sales and installation professionals, and a guarantee of quality and 
after-sales customer service. www.quantumglass.com 
 
About SAGE Electrochromics, Inc. 
SAGE Electrochromics, founded in 1989, is the world leader in the development, 
manufacture and international commercialization of electronically tintable 
dynamic glass - also known as electrochromic glass - for the building industry. 
For more information about SAGE Electrochromics, Inc., please visit 
www.sage-ec.com. 
 
 
 
 
+-------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 
|                                     |                                   | 
|    Analyst & Investor relations     |         Press relations           | 
|                                     |                                   | 
+-------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 
|            Saint-Gobain             | Saint-Gobain                      | 
| Florence TRIOU-TEIXERA    +33 1 47  | Sophie CHEVALLON      +33 1 47 62 | 
|              62 45 19               | 30 48                             | 
| Etienne HUMBERT                +33  | Sandrine DOUILHET      +33 1 47   | 
|            1 47 62 30 49            | 62 41 41                          | 
|            Vivien DARDEL            |                                   | 
|         [phone]          |                                   | 
|                                     |                                   | 
|                                     |                                   | 
+                                     +-----------------------------------+ 
|                                     | SAGE                                | 
|                                     | Ed Marshall                      +1 | 
|                                     | 603-559-5816 [e-mail]  | 
+-------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 
 
 
This information is provided by RNS 
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange 
   END 
 
 SALBMBRTMBIBMPM