- Blocking about 99% (*1) of UV Rays, Reducing Uncomfortable Burning Sensation -

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. (hereafter AGC) announced on November 23 that it has started sales of "UV Verre Premium Cool on (TM)" in the Philippines. This tempered glass product for automotive front door windows filters out about 99% of UV rays and cuts infrared rays, which cause burning sensation on the skin, protecting the driver and passengers from heat and sun exposure. The Philippines is the first market outside of Japan that this product is being sold.

"UV Verre Premium Cool on (TM)" was designed from a Japanese female driver's perspective. The biggest source of distress for female drivers is UV rays, a cause of sunburn and spots (*2). In addition, they tend to feel discomfort when the temperature inside the car gets too hot or when they feel burning sensation on the skin due to the exposure to sunlight. Aiming to provide more comfort inside the automobile, AGC successfully developed the world's first tempered glass for automotive front door windows that blocks approximately 99% of UV rays and released the product, "UV Verre Premium (TM)," in Japan in December 2010. In December 2012, AGC started sales of "UV Verre Premium Cool on (TM)," a new product with the added feature of cutting infrared rays, which cause burning sensation on the skin, in Japan ahead of other countries.

"UV Verre Premium (TM)" and "UV Verre Premium Cool on (TM)" are used in about 50 car models of major automobile manufacturers in the Japanese market, where many women are conscious about preventing sun-related damage to the skin. These products have gained popularity and are now installed in nearly 50% of automotive front door windows in Japan (*3).

"UV Verre Premium Cool on (TM)" has earned the Seal of Recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation (*4), a leading international organization in the U.S. devoted to education, prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment of skin cancer, in recognition of its function of cutting UV rays, which are associated with skin cancer.

"UV Verre Premium Cool on (TM)" will support a comfortable driving experience for drivers who are conscious about skin damage in the Philippines.

*1 AGC's survey data based on ISO9050

*2 AGC's original survey on Japanese women in their 20s to 60s

*3 AGC's survey as of November 2015

*4 The Skin Cancer Foundation  http://www.skincancer.org/

About Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., based in Tokyo, is a core of the AGC Group, which is a world-leading supplier of flat, automotive and display glass, chemicals and other high-tech materials and components. Based on the world's leading technologies accumulated over more than 100 years of innovation, the group will continue to meet the needs in different areas. The AGC group employs some 51,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales of approximately US$13 billion through business in about 30 countries. For more information, please visit www.agc-group.com.