Owens Corning Produces Preformed Acoustic Inserts for Automotive Mufflers in Glass Reinforcements Facility

Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), the leading global producer of glass fiber reinforcements for composite systems, announced today at the 2011 SAE Noise and Vibration Conference that it is now producing preformed acoustic inserts for automotive mufflers at its glass reinforcements plant in Amarillo, Texas. The preforms are part of the company's proprietary Silentex® noise control solutions produced using its patented Advantex® glass.

The product is easy to use, offers outstanding noise reduction and can withstand the increasing temperatures of low emission exhaust systems. "With the preformed inserts, there is no bag to burn off, and it provides a solution for manufacturers implementing clean air technology to make more environmentally friendly cars," said General Manager of Acoustic and Thermal Solutions Peter Adriaansen. Advantex® glass is more energy efficient than traditional E-glass, resulting in less demand for fossil fuel and lower emissions.

For more than a decade, Owens Corning has integrated production of Silentex® bags in its glass manufacturing plants in Rio Claro, Brazil; Taloja, India; and, most recently, Hangzhou, China. "This is the first time we have integrated preform production in a glass reinforcements plant. We make the glass fiber, texturize it, produce the preform using a new proprietary process and deliver it to our customers," said Adriaansen. Silentex® noise control solutions are also used in motorcycles, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, industrial silencers and other non-automotive applications.