The sun's energy is vital to all of us. But: overexposure to UV radiation is harmful. Overexposure to UV light in the 315 to 400 nm range is particularly harmful to human skin and to materials that surround us, such as plastics, pigments, paints, and important cultural artifacts in museums.

Did you know that regular window glass blocks UV light below 320 nm? However, Kuraray developed Trosifol® UV Extra Protect, a laminated safety glass interlayer that enables visible light to pass through while offering full protection against harmful UV radiation.

This innovative technology has been implemented in various renovation projects, including the Royal Garrison Church in Portsmouth, UK. The Church boasts a rich 800-year history with various functions. Initially constructed as a medieval hospital, it was later transformed into an ammunition store during Tudor times. Since the 1580s, it has stood as a church for the armed forces in its current form.

To bring it up to date, the recent renovation now used this advanced performance interlayer Trosifol® UV Extra Protect that protects the historic artifacts and elements inside the church from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation and the extreme environmental conditions of its coastal location.

Designed by architects Caroe & Partners and fabricated by Bassett and Findley, the new screen wall was designed and installed by Daedalus Conservation, a specialist in historic buildings with an impressive list of high-profile projects across the UK.

"English Heritage's conservation team explained the importance of some of the very old and very fragile military standards in the building," explains Gary Jones, managing director of Daedalus Conservation, stressing that UV protection was essential. However, this UV resistance had to be combined with structural performance due to the strong winds blowing off the Solent, the body of water around Portsmouth."

The architectural firm ultimately chose Trosifol® UV Extra Protect PVB film as the interlayer in the glass panels. The interlayer was used in a multi-panel partition manufactured by ESG Group that separates the roofless nave from the sanctuary.

Kuraray is the leading global producer of PVB and ionoplast interlayers for laminated safety glass applications in the architectural segment. With the biggest product portfolio worldwide, Kuraray offers outstanding solutions:

• Structural: Trosifol^® Extra Stiff PVB and SentryGlas^® ionoplast films
• Acoustic: Trosifol^® SC Monolayer and Multilayer PVB films for sound insulation 
• Films for UV control: Trosifol^® UV Extra Protect, Trosifol^® Natural UV and SentryGlas^® Natural UV - from complete UV protection to natural UV transmittance
• Trosifol^® UltraClear PVB film with the lowest yellowing value in the industry
• Decorative & design: Black and white, color and printable interlayers

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Trosifol, Butacite, SentryGlas, SG, SentryGlas Xtra, SGX, SentryGlas Acoustic, SGA and Spallshield are trademarks or registered trademarks of Kuraray Co., Ltd., or its affiliates. Trademarks may not be applied for or registered in all countries. The information provided herein corresponds to Kuraray’s knowledge on the subject at the date of its publication. This information may be subject to revision as new knowledge and experience becomes available. The information provided falls within the normal range of product properties and relates only to the specific material designated; this data may not be valid for such material used in combination with any other materials or additives or in any process, unless expressly indicated otherwise. The data provided should not be used to establish specification limits or used alone as the basis of design; they are not intended to substitute for any testing you may need to conduct to determine for yourself the suitability of a specific material for your particular purposes. Final determination of suitability of any material or process and whether there is any infringement of patents is the sole responsibility of the user. Since Kuraray cannot anticipate all variations in actual end-use conditions, Kuraray makes no warranties and assumes no liability in connection with any use of this information.

Press contact:
Alberto Alarcon
Kuraray Europe GmbH
Muelheimer Strasse 26, D-53840 Troisdorf, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 2241 2555 202
E-Mail: trosifol@kuraray.com