NXT® LENSES WITH TRIVEX® MATERIAL PROVIDE SUPERIOR RX SUN PROTECTION
X-Cel Optical Becomes First Lens Manufacturer to Distribute in the U.S.
NEW YORK, April 11, 2008 — Intercast Europe, S.r.l, a business of PPG Industries, is announcing the first U.S. lens manufacturer to distribute NXT® Rx sunlenses with Trivex® material during the International Vision Expo East trade show here today. X-Cel Optical Company is now offering this new premium product, which combines the optical clarity, impact resistance and comfortable, lightweight qualities of Trivex material with Intercast’s unique Light Management Technology, which offers the latest advances in color formulation and light filtration. This pairing provides an advanced sunwear solution for premium fashion and sport prescription eyewear needs. First introduced in late 2007 in Europe, NXT Rx sunlenses are currently available in three fixed tints and four photochromic colors, including mirror-coating options, all providing 100 percent UV protection.

“Today’s consumers demand the best in their prescription sunwear, making NXT Rx sunlenses the ideal addition to the Trivex material product family,” said Christine Camsuzou, general manager, optical materials, PPG. “By combining the benefits of Trivex material with the sun protection features of NXT technology, these lenses provide consumers with a prescription sun lens that can meet all the demands of an active, full lifestyle.”

The addition of NXT Rx sunlenses completes X-Cel’s Trivex offering, which also includes Aris™ Trivex clear, Transitions® Trivex and Aris NXT.

“These quality sunlenses are a strong addition to our line of Trivex products, reinforcing our commitment to providing the widest possible range of lens options to meet consumers’ ever-changing needs,” said Connie Achman, vice president of sales & marketing for X-Cel Optical Company. “Today, consumers’ lifestyles are busier than ever, which is why it’s so important for us to be able to offer them a prescription sun lens that can address all of those needs in a single product.”

NXT Rx sunlenses are compatible with all frame materials, highly resistant to solvents and lend themselves to rimless drilling without the risk of stress cracking. For more information, visit www.nxt-vision.com. Additionally, more information on PPG’s optical materials and products is available at www.ppgopticalproducts.com, or from Nathan Troxell, marketing manager, optical materials, PPG Industries, at (724) 325-5168 or troxell@ppg.com.