Solutia provides Ford with windshields

Laminated glass is a glass-plastic-glass sandwich, and is standard in most windshields globally. Solutia currently holds 45 percent of the global market for PVB interlayers used in laminated glass windshields, the company said in a release.

The Super Chief has colored, laminated glass surrounding its cabin and in its panoramic laminated glass roof. The interlayer that gives the glass a unique coloring was provided by Solutia Automotive.

Ford's 2007 Lincoln Navigator, launched last week at the Chicago Auto Show, boasts a quieter vehicle cabin due to the acoustic-grade interlayer in the windshield glass, also provided by Solutia Automotive.

The Navigator follows the debut of the 2007 Ford Expedition, launched at the Houston Auto Show, which also featured a windshield made with Vanceva Quiet, a brand line of advanced interlayer products developed by Solutia.

Tests by the Australian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency showed a 90 percent reduction in UV ray penetration with laminated glass versus 60 percent using ordinary tempered glass, according to a release. Laminated glass also weighs 11 percent less than comparable tempered glass.

St. Louis-based Solutia Inc. develops specialty chemicals, fibers, fluids and other performance products.