Product Launch

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain
11 October 2001



SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS INTRODUCES SGG AQUACLEAN, A NEW SELF-CLEANING GLASS

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS, the leader in the european building glass market, has 
developed various product ranges to meet specific needs:

- SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS COMFORT, solar control products, temperature control and   
  acoustic insulation,
- SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS DESIGN, decorative products for interior and exterior      
  application,
- SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS VISION, light control products,
- SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS SYSTEMS, complete systems or elements of systems for
  interior and exterior application, 
  SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS PROTECT, security products.

Today, SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS has created a new family of glass products to improve 
case of use: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS CLEAN. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS France will be 
presenting the first product in this family, SGG AQUACLEAN self-cleaning glass 
at the international building exhibition Batimat.

A real innovation, SGG AQUACLEAN is made of glass on which a transparent layer 
of a hydrophilic mineral material is deposited. When in contact with the glass 
pane, water spreads across the surface of this layer and produces a cleaning 
effect. The water then rapidly evaporates without leaving any traces of dried 
droplets. Fully integrated with the glass surface, the self-cleaning surface has
a long lifespan.

- UNIQUE TECHNICAL QUALITIES

The self-cleaning layer provides SGG AQUACLEAN with unique properties when 
compared with conventional glass:

- Less frequent cleaning required: the glass stays clean longer,

- Easier cleaning: grime adheres less to the surface. The glass is cleaned by   
  rainwater or a simple hose-down with clean water,

- Lower maintenance costs,

- Less frequent use of detergents helps protect the environment,

- Condensation evaporates more quickly when the self-cleaning surface of double 
  glazing is placed in the building's interior.

The other properties of SGG AQUACLEAN (optical, mechanical, thermal, and 
acoustic) are identical to conventional glass. SGG AQUACLEAN's perfect 
transparency and its visual aspect are unaltered. Similarly, the transformation 
(assembly as insulation glass, tempering and laminating) and application of SGG 
AQUACLEAN are similar to conventional glass.

- A BROAD RANGE OF APPLICATIONS

With its remarkable properties, SGG AQUACLEAN is suitable for all building 
sectors, from new building construction to renovation, especially for all 
applications where the glass is exposed to rain:

- In individual and multiple dwellings: verandas, loggias, windows and          
  skylights, picture windows, etc.
- In the non-residential sector: curtain walls, flat skylights, exterior display
  windows, greenhouses, etc.

Available in Europe from November 2001, SGG AQUACLEAN will be sold worldwide 
starting in 2002.


                   SGG AQUACLEAN will be presented at Batimat 
                       on the SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS stand 
                        Hall 3 - Aisle F - Stand 28

               
                         Investor Relations Department

Tel. : Florence TRIOU-TEIXEIRA  [phone] - 
                                 mailto: [e-mail] 

Tel. : Lounis BEKKAT            [phone] - 
                                mailto : [e-mail]
                                Fax: [phone]