Recent Years

Joint Venture

-In April 2010, the Company and Trakya Cam Sanayii A.S., a flat glass manufacturer in Turkey, signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to set up a 50-50 joint-venture to produce and sell automotive glass in Russia. The project is to build a plant in the Republic of Tatarstan with production due to come on stream in 2013 and able to supply the full glass car-set - windshield, side windows and rear windows - to equip 500,000 vehicles a year. (From a press release on April 26, 2010)

-In October 2004, Hanglas, a Korea-based glass manufacturer, and the Company have established a joint venture to manufacture automotive glass in Shanghai. Products will be supplied to Chinese carmakers such as Beijing-Hyundai, Dongfeng Yueda Kia, the VW Group, Dongfeng-Citroen, Chang'an Ford, and Dongfeng Motor, and some of the output will be exported to Northeast Asian countries as well.

-In 2001, Schefenacker of Germany and the Company established a joint venture, freeglass GmbH & Co. KG for automotive plastic glazing.
Followings are examples for its development:

• 2006: New Honda "Civic": three-dimensional polycarbonate rear window
• 2005: Seat "Leon": Side window with recessed handle
• 2005: DC "B-Class": PC louvers for panoramic louvered roof
• 2004: DC "CLS": B-pillar trim
• 2004: DC "A-Class": PC louvers for panoramic louvered roof
• 2004: Smart "forfour": Fixed door window, Rear spoiler, Panoramic roof window
• 2003: Smart "roadster": Fixed side window

Contracts

-In 2009, the Company supplies different glazing options to the new "Exeo" that has been presented by Seat at the end of February 2009: Windshields with acoustic glazing and heat reflecting glazing, also laminated side glazing or dark tinted glazing behind the B-pillar. These innovative added value glazing reduce the sound level in the vehicle as well as the Company improve thermal comfort. (From a press release on Apr. 30, 2009)

-In 2009, the Company provides the new Citroen "C3" with a windshield. The single glass unit includes the windshield and part of the roof. The windshield has the shaded band to reduce light and heat transmission through the roof. (From a press release in September 2009)

-In January 2008, the Company announced that it would produce the complete all-round glazing, i.e. the windscreen, rear window and side windows, for the new Tata "Nano" and the range of different model versions; a standard version and two luxury versions. The Company identified the importance of Asia at an early stage, as its numerous industrial sites for manufacturing glass in Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, and India demonstrate.

-In 2008, the selection on offer is very varied and ranges from the closed, large-area glass roof (Peugeot "307 SW", "407 SW", Citroen "C4") and so-called twin panels or multi-panels (Renault "Espace IV") right through to the lamella sunroof (Fiat "Stile"). Peugeot was one of the first manufacturers to opt for a panoramic roof on a large scale in the "307 SW" family estate car and it now offers this style of roof for lots of its model ranges. The Citroen "C4 Picasso" currently boasts the largest glazed area in its class (7.55 square metres in total, with 2 m2 of this being accounted for by the panoramic windscreen). (From a press release on May 12, 2008)

Business Policies

-In 2010, the Company is advancing sales of its heat-conducting silicone sponge for electric vehicles as cushion materials between battery packs. It is intending to expand sales of its product in the electric vehicle market, leveraging its excellent performance in heat conductivity, electric insulation and vibration absorption. Reducing vibration of batteries will also contribute to longer product life. The company will step up the marketing activities mainly targeting automakers. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on May. 20, 2010)

Business Partnership

-In 2009, the Company and Systaic AG will start a cooperation to provide automotive solar roof modules for light commercial vehicles and other vehicles. Systaic, based in Germany, is a producer of solar power systems. (From a press release on Aug. 20, 2009)

R&D Expenditure

-5% of sales.

R&D Facilities

-The Company holds R&D centers in Germany (2), France (2) and Spain (1).

R&D Activities

-Example of development theme:
  Headup diaplay (HUD)
  Plastic glass
  Communication, Sensors

Investments Outside France

<Poland>
-In 2007, the Company expanded the production facility in Poland.

-In September 2004, the Company decided to build a new flat glass production line in Poland. This float line will be built on the site of Dabrowa Gornicza, where the Division already has one float line and a processing unit for automotive glass. The related investment will amount to approximately EUR 100 million, for an annual capacity of 180,000 metric tons. Products manufactured by this new line will mainly be sold in the domestic Polish market, particularly in the case of automotive glass, or will be exported to countries located East of Poland, in the case of glass for the construction industry. Production is due to start in mid-2006.

<Brazil>
-In 2007, the Company expanded the production facility in Brazil.

<India>
-In 2007, the Company expanded the production facility in India.

<Mexico>
-In June 2005, the Company's Flat Glass Sector decided to expand its presence in the region with the construction of a new float glass production line in Mexico. This facility is to be built at the Cuautla Morelos site in southern Mexico, where the Company already operates a float line and a plant specializing in flat glass processing for the automotive industry. Glass from the new facility will be sold on the Mexican market and also exported to the US, Central America and the Caribbean. The cost of the investment will be approximately 100 million USD. Production is due to start at the end of 2006.