Germany's Bayer and US group General Electric are working together to develop polycarbonate (PC) vehicle windows. They have launched a new equally-owned joint venture to develop PC windows as an alternative to glass. The initial focus of the US$40m company will be N. America & Europe. However, the company also has its eye on the Asia-Pacific market. The venture was sheduled to start up late last year. The global market for car windows is estimated at US$5-6bn/yr, & is viewed as a huge potential market for PC. Several vehicles are being road tested with PC windows in the US. The partners hope the first commercial application will be for rear fixed quarter windows by 1999, with moving windows within 4-6 years. PC windows are expected to be comparable in cost to glass, but will weigh less &, they claim, offer greater security, safety & styling possibilities.
