March 8, 2006

Soliant wins green award

ATLANTA - Soliant received the environmental award in the emerging technologies category during last week's 2006 Global Plastics Environmental Conference (GPEC 2006).  Soliant operates a facility in Lancaster County.

The company was recognized for its innovative, commercially adopted paint film process that reduces environmental emissions by 98 percent compared to traditional vehicle painting.

The 98 percent emissions reduction is based on an analysis of the production and use of this product compared to traditional vehicle painting conducted by the environmental consulting firm MM & A.

"As the chairman of the awards committee, I can assure you that it was your creative technology with its potential to improve air quality substantially that lifted Soliant above several other highly qualified nominees," said Dr. P.M. Subramanian in a letter to Soliant.

Soliant met all GPEC criteria, including leadership in plastics and the environment, generating significant economic value and creating new markets (paint alternatives) that benefit the environment and the quality of life.

Another environmental and cost benefit of the production and use of Soliant paint films is there is no need for the management and disposal of the solvents and chemicals associated with conventional painting or plating processes. Environmental compliance costs associated with the use of Soliant paint films are minimal.

"We're changing the way we're coloring our world," said John Cupstid, Soliant sales and marketing director. "We're making the world greener from an environmental standpoint and more colorful, brighter and interesting aesthetically."

"Receiving the environmental award for our paint film technology is an honor, and we are very grateful," said Soliant President Jerry Patton. "We're grateful to the SPE (Society of Plastics Engineers) environmental division and all who provide environmentally sustainable solutions to industry."

Held annually, GPEC is attended by leading professionals from around the world in the plastics, environmental and energy conservation fields.

The conference includes technical papers, student posters, exhibits, and presentations that gives business executives, engineers, molders, tooling shops, test instrumentation companies, and university students updates on the latest innovations and technologies, including reduction in cost and improvement in quality.
Soliant has a 20-year history of environmental stewardship as a producer of paint film products for automakers. The company has the technology to cover an automobile or light truck (except for windows and plastic lenses for lamp surfaces).

Their paint film products are used by original equipment manufacturers including Honda, Toyota, General Motors, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes and

Guardian Automotive supplies.

"It's great to be providing a product that offers better environmental sustainability as well as better economics, quality, durability and appeal," Cupstid said.

Soliant LLC is headquartered in Lancaster, with sales offices in Detroit, MI and in The Netherlands.

The company has a research and development facility here.