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HistoryInnovator with a Pioneering HistoryFounded in response to the Oil embargo of the mid 1970's, we have a history of industry-leading energy technology innovation
A Different Way of Looking at Windows of the FutureWhen looking to the future, Southwall looks at windows as untapped opportunities for superior budget savings and lower carbon emissions. While green building is expected to grow 50% annually over the next several years, inefficient glass remain the weak link in the performance of the building envelope and is responsible for more than 30% of a building’s total energy waste. The Auto industry faces a similar challenge, with cars and trucks producing 38% of carbon emissions annually. The 50% growth in average glass surface area over the last 25 years has increased the load on the heating and cooling system required to maintain occupant comfort, decreasing overall fuel economy. Architects and car designers around the world are looking with urgency for economically viable, technically executable and immediately available solutions aligned with energy conservation and CO2 reduction goals. Southwall provides its customers around the world with clear, reliable and immediate answers to the challenges of reducing energy consumption, improving glass efficiencies and designing the world’s most energy-efficient buildings and cars. To learn more how rich history of innovation we can help you build a better and more profitable future, please contact us. Southwall: An Energy Story...
Southwall Technologies was founded in 1979 in Palo Alto, California, to commercialize Heat Mirror® transparent insulation. Its core technology was the result of a 5-year, government-funded research program (started at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) to improve energy efficiency in buildings. "Heavy Chevy", the original van that was used to haul the company's first laboratory equipment from MIT to California, was declared a "Southwall Technologies Historic Vehicle" in 1986.
Southwall's first product, Heat Mirror transparent film, was released in 1981 and revolutionized the energy performance of building glass. Heat Mirror was the first significant insulation improvement in glass in over 100 years, effectively doubling the R-value from 2 to 4. This innovation was recognized as one of the Top 100 Inventions of the Millennium by Popular Science magazine in 2000. Heat Mirror is a clear, polyester film with a 3-layer coating that transmits light, but reflects long-wave infrared energy. This innovative product launched the worldwide glass industry's investment into direct coating on glass - universally called low emissivity, or Low-e. Heat Mirror is sold today to window and door companies in 25 countries for installation into sealed insulating glass. From Buildings to Cars...In 1992 Southwall introduced XIR® Solar Reflective film for laminated automotive glass, which has been used in over 16 million automobiles worldwide. XIR film significantly reduces the transmission of infrared solar heat into the vehicle by reflecting the IR portion of the sun's spectrum. This results in lower surface and air temperatures in the vehicle, while also providing a lower thermal load on the air conditioning. Benefits include improved occupant comfort and better fuel efficiency. From OEM to Aftermarket…In 1994 Southwall introduced Solis® Heat Control window film, which is a transparent polyester film that is applied directly to windows to block approximately half of the sun’s heat and virtually all of the damaging ultraviolet radiation. Window film is an aftermarket product that is mounted onto the interior surface of the glass – either in a building or in an automobile – to reduce heat, glare and UV radiation. Southwall partnered with GlobaMatrix (GMX), a private, Singaporean-based marketing and distribution company, to create and develop the world’s first high-performance (clear but heat reflecting) product brand for this market. The business continues to expand today through an exclusive, franchised network consisting of more than 1,000 retail locations that install V-KOOL® and HüperOptik® branded products in cars and buildings in over 25 countries. Display and Beyond . . .In 1995 Southwall introduced an Anti-Reflective (AR) coated film for the high growth Display market and begin supplying Sony with AR film for its Trinitron® CRT monitors. Since that time, Southwall has expanded its Display product offering with reflective films for Notebook PC and LCD Monitor backlights, as well as shielding films for Plasma Displays. Today, Southwall remains committed to it energy roots as it explores potential new markets that can benefit from its 25 years of energy technology innovation.
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