Cem-FIL® Alkali Resistant Rovings from Owens Corning Bring Higher Performing Flexible and Aesthetic Reinforcement Solutions to Architectural and Construction Applications

Paris, France: April 1, 2008 – Although developed and introduced to the market more than 10 years ago, alkali-resistant (AR) Cem-FIL® Rovings, from Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), have recently enabled Austria-based pre-fabricated concrete manufacturer Rieder Smart Elements GmbH, to design and manufacture an innovative and game-changing composite material for architectural and construction applications.

Rieder Smart Elements GmbH has manufactured pre-fabricated concrete components for almost fifty years and although glass reinforced concrete (GRC) has been in existence for over thirty years, Rieder only began its own research into GRC products in 2002. Wolfgang Rieder joined the family-owned business in 2003 and two years later had developed and introduced a revolutionary material - fibreC® - to the company’s existing range of products.

“fibreC is a glass fiber reinforced concrete panel combining the advantages of concrete and Cem-FIL alkali resistant glass fibers, which is as solid, flexible and durable as concrete but is also thin-walled, light-weight and has increased fire resistance,” says Rieder CEO Wolfgang Rieder. “This allows the building or renovation of façades with the perfect reproduction of complex details and fine texture, as well as the molding of elaborate shapes such as those for urban furniture,” Rieder says.

Cem-FIL® Rovings have a long successful history as high performance materials that enhance the life-span of applications in the construction industry and are at the heart of glass reinforced concrete (GRC) technology. With a 5% addition of AR fibers it’s possible to obtain a very light, extremely thin composite material moldable to any shape.

AR glass fibers are a unique range of products designed for the reinforcement of concrete and cement and represent a superior alternative to materials traditionally used such as polypropylene fibers and steel fibers. With tensile strength 3-4 times greater than steel and modulus 10 times higher than that of polypropylene, AR glass fibers give better physical and mechanical performance, with flexibility that enables thinner wall sections to be achieved to bring completely new possibilities to the shaping of concrete.

According to Nicolas Bedouin, Global Sales and Marketing Leader OCV Reinforcements (Specialties): “AR glass has the same density as cement and therefore it does not float or sink, providing for excellent dispersion in the matrix, and importantly it does not corrode and is fire resistant, as well as resistant to the acids and alkalis present in concrete.

“Moreover,” he adds, “AR glass resists degradation by UV light and temperature variations, fitting it for outdoor applications in all environments.”

In addition, the GRC panel cladding can be easily removed from building façades and replaced while the old panels, after grinding, are recyclable with up to 15 percent re-grind utilized for the fabrication of new GRC panels while 100 percent regrind can be added to concrete mixes.

Other products in OCV Reinforcements’ range of AR glass fibers include:

Anti-Crak®, designed to reinforce concrete and mortar in applications as varied as flooring, plaster and ready mixed concrete (RMC). There are two grades of Anti-Crak® chopped strands: Anti-Crak® HD – High Dispersion for the prevention and control of cracking and HP – High Performance for the reinforcement of concrete structures under load.

ARcoteX® is resistant to acid attacks and corrosion and compatible with resins, it is principally used for the reinforcement of concrete applications in the gas and liquid chemical industries.

Qualified by professional associations throughout the world, Cem-FIL®, Anti-Crak® and ARcoteX® AR glass fibers are available worldwide, and deliver a high performance reinforcement solution for concrete and cement mortar that prevents cracking and extends building life. Available as rovings, chopped strands, meshes and mats, AR glass fiber products contribute to a longer lasting, more efficient use of resources to aid an increasingly sustainability-oriented industry.

Following approval by regulatory authorities in Europe and the United States, Owens Corning completed the acquisition of Saint-Gobain's Reinforcements and Composite Fabrics businesses for $640 million on November 1, 2007. The acquisition accelerates Owens Corning's global growth strategy and strengthens its position as a market leader in glass reinforcements and composites. Owens Corning is exhibiting in Hall 1.1 Booth P18 at the annual JEC Composites Show - the company’s first major industry platform since the acquisition - held at the Expo Paris, Porte de Versailles, Paris, France, April 1-3, 2008.

Reader enquiries

Owens Corning Composite Solutions Business
Owens Corning World Headquarters
One Owens Corning Parkway
Toledo, Ohio 43659
United States
+1 419 248 5939
www.owenscorning.com

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Notes for editors

About Owens Corning

Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) is a leading global producer of residential and commercial building materials, glass fiber reinforcements and engineered materials for composite systems. A Fortune 500 company for 53 consecutive years, Owens Corning is committed to driving sustainability through delivering solutions, transforming markets and enhancing lives. Founded in 1938, Owens Corning is a market-leading innovator of glass fiber technology with sales of $5 billion in 2007 and 19,000 employees in 26 countries on five continents.

Additional information is available at www.owenscorning.com .

® fibreC is a registered trademark of Rieder Smart Elements GmbH