Press Release PITTSFIELD, Mass., April 30, 2013

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1 Press Release PITTSFIELD, Mass., April 30, 2013 SABIC s LEXAN THERMOCLEAR PC Sheet Crowns First Brazilian Sport Stadium, Arena do Grêmio, with Light-weight Roofing SABIC s Innovative Plastics business announced today the first application of its LEXAN THERMOCLEAR polycarbonate (PC) multi-wall sheet in a Brazil sports stadium, the new Arena do Grêmio, a multi-use, 60,000-seat stadium in Porto Alegre, where the custom-colored 10-mm material is used for the roofing. SABIC s LEXAN THERMOCLEAR sheet was chosen for its light weight, toughness and impact resistance vs. glass. This tough roofing material proved itself even before the stadium was completed when the partially installed roof was undamaged during a violent windstorm. This project represents a new milestone in SABIC s four decades of success in delivering state-of-the-art materials to help designers and architects ensure safety while creating a major architectural statement. SABIC s LEXAN THERMOCLEAR sheet compared to the colored, laminated glass that was originally considered is technologically and aesthetically superior, said Marcos Benicio, contract leader, OAS, the general contractor and installer for this project. The durably, lightweight material was not only more cost effective, it was so much easier to transport and install than heavy, breakable glass. As an added benefit, we were able to obtain the material locally from SABIC s facility in Campinas, which also provided technical support and color-matching services. SABIC materials and technical expertise have helped architects and contractors design and build some of the world s most iconic stadiums, said Jack Govers, general manager, Specialty Film & Sheet, Innovative Plastics. Over many years, we ve continually improved and enhanced our sheet products to meet changing environmental requirements and aesthetic and performance expectations. Today marks a significant achievement with the addition of another awe-inspiring arena the first in Brazil that is benefitting from the design freedom, energy efficiency and high performance of LEXAN THERMOCLEAR sheet. LEXAN THERMOCLEAR sheet was supplied in a custom blue tone matching the Grêmio team brand. The light color and highly reflective surface of the sheet help minimize the effects of heat and reduce the need for cooling systems. These attributes, together with the light weight of the panels (2.2 k/m 2 ), make a contribution to the reduced environmental impact of Arena do Grêmio, which is expected to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. 1

2 A Winning Roster of Benefits LEXAN THERMOCLEAR sheet offers many advantages over conventional materials such as glass. It is safe and easy to handle, cut and install, and is virtually unbreakable. Its light weight can offer significant savings in terms of transportation costs, handling and installation. When compared with 6-mm wired glass, 10-mm LEXAN THERMOCLEAR sheet offers weight savings of more than 85 percent. LEXAN THERMOCLEAR sheet delivers outstanding impact performance over a wide temperature range, -40C to 120C, and also after prolonged outdoor exposure. It can withstand harsh weather conditions as well as temperature swings without breaking or buckling. It features a proprietary surface treatment on one side offering excellent resistance against degradation from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This material carries a 15-year limited written warranty against discoloration, loss of light transmission and loss of impact strength due to weathering. The SABIC team in Brazil provided wind load simulation, mechanical resistance calculation for the aluminum profiles and flame resistance regulatory reports. For additional information on SABIC s multi-wall sheet products, please go to For technical product inquiries, please contact us at END 2

3 PHOTO: Brazil s Arena do Grêmio Sport Stadium Featuring SABIC s LEXAN THERMOCLEAR PC Sheet Roofing SABIC s Innovative Plastics business announced today the first application of its LEXAN THERMOCLEAR polycarbonate (PC) multi-wall sheet in a Brazil sports stadium, the new Arena do Grêmio, a multi-use, 60,540-seat stadium in Porto Alegre, where the custom-colored 10-mm material is used for the roofing. SABIC s LEXAN THERMOCLEAR sheet was chosen for its light weight, toughness and impact resistance vs. glass. This tough roofing material proved itself even before the stadium was completed when the partially installed roof was undamaged during a violent windstorm. This project represents a new milestone in SABIC s four decades of success in delivering state-of-the-art materials to help designers and architects ensure safety while creating a major architectural statement. 3

4 Notes to Editors About SABIC SABIC and brands marked with are trademarks of SABIC or affiliates High-resolution photos are available upon request SABIC should be written in every instance in all uppercase. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) ranks among the world s top petrochemical companies. The company is among the world s market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers. SABIC recorded a net profit of SR billion (US$ 6.59 billion) in Sales revenues for 2012 totaled SR 189 billion (US$ billion). Total assets stood at SR 338 billion (US$ billion) at the end of SABIC s businesses are grouped into Chemicals, Polymers, Performance Chemicals, Fertilizers, Metals and Innovative Plastics. SABIC has significant research resources with 17 dedicated Technology & Innovation facilities in Saudi Arabia, the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, India and South Korea. The company operates in more than 40 countries across the world with around 40,000 employees worldwide. SABIC manufactures on a global scale in Saudi Arabia, the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. Headquartered in Riyadh, SABIC was founded in 1976 when the Saudi Arabian Government decided to use the hydrocarbon gases associated with its oil production as the principal feedstock for production of chemicals, polymers and fertilizers. The Saudi Arabian Government owns 70 percent of SABIC shares with the remaining 30 percent held by private investors in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. About Innovative Plastics SABIC s Innovative Plastics business is a leading, global supplier of engineering thermoplastics with an 80-year history of breakthrough solutions that solve its customers most pressing challenges. Today, Innovative Plastics is a multi-billion-dollar company with operations in more than 35 countries and approximately 9,000 employees worldwide. The company continues to lead the plastics industry with customer collaboration and continued investments in new polymer technologies, global application development, process technologies, and environmentally responsible solutions that serve diverse markets such as Healthcare, Transportation, Automotive, Electrical, Lighting and Consumer Electronics. The company s extensive product portfolio includes thermoplastic resins, coatings, specialty compounds, film, and sheet. Innovative Plastics ( is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC). 4

5 5 Innovative Plastics Media Contact Specialty Film & Sheet Banu Kukner Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands Tel: