[bc]THAI POLYMER TO OFFER LENSES MADE FROM TRIVEX LENS MATERIAL[/bc]
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 14, 2002 — Bangkok-based Thai Polymer Lens Co. Ltd. will become the third lenscaster to manufacture lenses made from Trivex lens material, PPG Industries announced today.
Trivex tri-performance lens material from PPG is an optical monomer that delivers the unprecedented combination of excellent optics, impact resistance, thin and ultra light weight qualities in a single material. First available in spring 2001, lenses made from the material have demonstrated high patient satisfaction and excellent durability for three-piece mount frames .

“As a quality-conscious manufacturer, we carefully studied the technical properties of Trivex material and believe that it will deliver superior value to our customers,” said Sawang Pracharktam, Ph.D., executive director in sales and marketing, Thai Polymer. “We were especially impressed with the high Abbe number, light weight, high impact resistance, chemical resistance and ease of surfacing by labs, which were among the material’s benefits.”

“The expanded availability of Trivex material through Thai Polymer will enable greater choices for eyecare professionals throughout of the world, by offering more options in lens types and designs,” said Todd White, general manager, Optical Monomers and Coatings, PPG Industries. “We are pleased to see the expansion of Trivex material in its second year on the market.”

Expanded Availability and Broadened Reach
Thai Polymer will launch its lenses made from Trivex material, called Excelite&reg - TVX, in June 2003 to the Asian market. The lenses will be available in finished single-vision in hardcoat and hard A/R. The company will also supply distributors in Europe and the United States with both finished and semi-finished lenses.
By fall 2003, Thai Polymer will add semi-finished spheric and aspheric single-vision and medium- (15 mm) and short- (13 mm) corridor length semi-finished progressive lens designs to complete its full line.

“With a strong drive for high-quality products, Thai Polymer is an excellent fit for Trivex material,” said White. “We’re pleased to continue the strong relationship we have with Thai Polymer, which has also been an important customer of PPG’s optical business in CR-39 monomer and hard coatings.”

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Thai Polymers Lens Co. Ltd. is part of Thai Optical Group, a Bangkok-based privately owned business, and the leading Thai manufacturer of optical lenses, conducting business all over the world. For more information on the company or its products, call (66-2) 235-0901 or visit www.thaiopticalgroup.com.

More information on Trivex lens material is available at www.ppgtrivex.com or by contacting Gerard Dooley, optical products commercial development manager, PPG Industries, at (412) 434-3661 or via e-mail, at gdooley@ppg.com.

PPG Industries is the world’s leading maker of optical resins and introduced the first hard resin lens material, CR-39 monomer, in 1947. It is the majority owner of Transitions Optical, which is the leading supplier of photochromics to optical manufacturers worldwide. In addition to optical coatings and monomers, PPG is a leading global supplier of specialty and industrial chemicals, coatings, flat and fabricated glass, and fiber glass. With 120 manufacturing locations and equity affiliates in 23 countries, sales in 2001 were US$8.2 billion.