The COVID-19 pandemic’s global reach has touched countless lives,
along with the economic and investment ecosystem in Israel and
worldwide. Despite the current crisis, Gauzy Ltd, a material
science startup based in Tel Aviv, Israel has secured the Series C
investment from Hyundai Motor Company, Blue Red Partners VC, and
Avery Dennison. Gauzy is a strategic investor and licensee of
Research Frontiers (Nasdaq: REFR), which is the inventor of
patented SPD-SmartGlass light control technology.
Gauzy has been collaborating with industrial
players to integrate Gauzy’s LCG® (light control glass)
technologies, including SPD (suspended particle device) and LC
(Liquid Crystal), into the serial production of various types of
products. Both technologies allow for dynamic and user-controlled
light control. SPD provides the ultimate light control solution -
comfortable, safe, and energy efficient. LC technologies are
used for privacy, solar reflection, and displays that turn
transparent for smart mobility solutions.
In February of 2019, Gauzy announced on NASDAQ a
strategic investment in Research Frontiers (Nasdaq: REFR) and its
plans to develop and manufacture SPD. Throughout the year, Gauzy
established the infrastructure required to create its SPD
technology. This includes erecting a state-of-the-art material
synthesis facility in Israel, and a custom SPD production line
strategically located in Germany (Stuttgart) as part of Gauzy’s
subsidiary company, Gauzy GmbH. These two facilities are currently
operating and producing SPD emulsion and light control film for the
automotive, aircraft, and architectural industries, with modified
staffing and procedures to protect Gauzy’s employees during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
On December 5, 2019 Gauzy hosted automotive and
tier one executives from around the world at an exclusive event
revealing its new proprietary production line set within an
11,000sqm property in Germany. This production site is dedicated to
producing 1,000,000sqm of SPD material yearly for the automotive
and architectural industries. Gauzy’s state-of-the-art
production techniques have brought down the cost of SPD-Smart light
control technology significantly, has shortened delivery times to
customers, and have added new capabilities and functionality to the
world of smart glass.
Gauzy is the only material science company in
the world currently developing, manufacturing, and marketing two of
the three commercial active light control technologies: LC and SPD.
The company has a global distribution network of over 60 certified
partners worldwide that apply Gauzy’s unique technologies to glass
or other transparent substrates, to create LCG (light control
glass). SPD and LC technologies allow glass to change from opaque
to custom degrees of transparent with electrical input to control
various forms of light including UV, IR, and visible light. SPD
blocks up to 99.5% of light for custom shading while maintaining a
view of surroundings. It can be used to replace mechanical shading
elements in buildings and vehicles.
Eyal Peso, Gauzy’s CEO, says “We are proud to
announce this investment that comes at a hard time and also comes
to show the depth of the confidence the investors have in Gauzy and
its technologies. We have been working closely with industrial
players over the years to develop for series production, and the
investment will help Gauzy step up its efforts in the delivery of
its products all over the world."
This Series C investment allows Gauzy to
continue its mission of developing and leading the active light
control technology market. With continued advancement in product
development and of resources for high volume production, LCG
technology and active glazing is more accessible for serial
implementation by industrial players.
Joseph M. Harary, President and CEO of Research
Frontiers noted: “This Series C investment round by Gauzy is
significant in many respects. This strategic investment marks the
first known equity investment by an automotive OEM in our entire
industry. While it certainly benefits the investors in Gauzy,
and Research Frontiers, it also benefits all of our licensees and
their customers in the automotive, aircraft, marine, architectural
and consumer products industries worldwide. It is the result of a
highly focused and collaborative effort by key companies in the
material science, glass, technology and automotive industries.”
About Gauzy:
Gauzy is a world leading vendor of material
science and nanotechnology, focused on the research, development,
manufacturing, and marketing of technologies which are embedded
into and onto raw materials. Amongst Gauzy’s core areas of
expertise are LC and SPD, which are used to produce
LCG® (Light Control Glass). The company is headquartered in
Tel Aviv Israel, with an additional production facility in Germany,
and sales, marketing, and distribution sites in multiple US cities
and China. Learn more at gauzy.com, and
on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook.
About Research Frontiers Inc.
Research Frontiers (Nasdaq: REFR) is a publicly
traded technology company and the developer of patented SPD-Smart
light-control film technology which allows users to instantly,
precisely and uniformly control the shading of glass or plastic
products, either manually or automatically. Research Frontiers has
licensed its smart glass technology to over 40 companies that
include well known chemical, material science and glass companies.
Products using Research Frontiers’ smart glass technology are being
used in tens of thousands of cars, aircraft, yachts, trains, homes,
offices, museums and other buildings. For more information, please
visit our website at www.SmartGlass.com, and on Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn and YouTube.
The markets for SPD-Smart film are already
well-established. Research Frontiers has licensed over 40 chemical,
film, and glass companies which are selling products for the
automotive, aircraft, marine, train, museum and consumer
electronics industries. Shortly after its introduction into serial
production in the automotive industry, SPD-SmartGlass has become
standard equipment on many different aircraft, and is also used in
residential and commercial architectural applications, in trains,
yachts and other marine vehicles, in display applications, and to
protect light-sensitive artwork and documents in major museums
around the world.
Note: From time to time Research Frontiers may
issue forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. This press release contains forward-looking
statements. Actual results, especially those reliant on activities
by third parties, could differ and are not guaranteed. Any
forward-looking statements should be considered accordingly.
"SPD-Smart" and “SPD-SmartGlass” are trademarks of Research
Frontiers Inc. “LCG® (Light Control Glass) is a trademark of
Gauzy Ltd.
For further information, please contact:
Media Contact:
Brittany Kleiman Swisa
brittany@gauzy.com
Joseph M. HararyPresident and CEOResearch Frontiers
Inc.+1-516-364-1902Info@SmartGlass.com
Research Frontiers (NASDAQ:REFR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Research Frontiers (NASDAQ:REFR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024