Saint-Gobain to acquire Solar Gard Specialty Films from Belgium’s Bekaert

French construction material firm Saint-Gobain yesterday said that it will acquire Solar Gard Specialty Films from Belgium-based Bekaert in order to expand into the energy-efficient solutions market.

The acquisition includes Solar Gard's production facilities in Suzhou, China, Zulte, Belgium, and San Diego, US, as well as current operations under development in China and all service and sales centers globally.

Solar Gard specialises in the development, production and distribution of specialty films for applications in custom coating, photovoltaic, architectural and automotive sectors.

The unit produces solar control window films to decrease energy consumption, security films to prevent window breakage caused during storms and blasts and tinted films to guarantee privacy.

Solar Gard products have been manufactured for more than 30 years and are sold in more than 90 countries under the Solar Gard, Panorama, Quantum and Solar Gard Armorcoat brands.

The deal enables Saint-Gobain to reinforce Solar Gard's leadership position, especially in the energy and architectural markets. Both companies said that they will develop a more sustainable future via energy-efficient solutions and products.

Paris-based Saint-Gobain, a market leader in each of the segments where it plays, will help strengthen Solar Gard's leadership position particularly in the architectural and energy market where both companies are committed to building a more sustainable future through the development of energy efficient products and solutions.

Located in 64 countries and with 2010 revenues of €40.12 billion, Saint-Gobain is a world leader in habitat, designs, manufactures and distributes building materials. It is also the world's largest manufacturer of high performance plastics.
 
Saint-Gobain did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction.