June 18, 2025
SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.

High-Performance Sound Acoustic Interlayer Film Adopted for the
First Time on Nissan Motor’s Patrol
Received the Global Innovation Award at the Nissan Global
Innovation & Quality Award

SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (President: Keita Kato; hereinafter “SEKISUI CHEMICAL”) is pleased to announce that its High Performance Plastics Company’s (President: Akira Asano) high-performance interlayer film for laminated glass, S-LEC™ Sound Acoustic Film SV, which reduces noise caused by vibrations in addition to the conventional sound insulation effect of transmitted noise, has been adopted by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Nissan Motor”) for its Patrol model.

Nissan Motor Patrol

SEKISUI CHEMICAL is pleased to announce that it has received the Global Innovation Award for the technological development of the product from Nissan motor. The Nissan Global Innovation & Quality Award recognizes products that have made a significant contribution to Nissan Motor’s products and brand power and indicates that S-LEC™ Sound Acoustic Film SV is widely recognized within Nissan Motor. SEKISUI CHEMICAL has been providing innovative products and services in the automotive laminated glass industry for many years. Going forward, SEKISUI CHEMICAL will continue to contribute to safety and comfort in the mobility field.

The award ceremony

1. Background of Development and Award

With the large increase in sales of SUVs in recent years, in-vehicle quietness has become an issue. In SUVs, which have high air resistance, there is a tendency of more vibration noise being transmitted through the glass.  With the popularization of EVs, the absence of engine noise has made wind noise more apparent to occupants inside the vehicle. In addition, reducing the weight of glass is considered an important part of efforts within OEMs to reduce both CO2 emissions and in-vehicle quietness.

To address these issues, S-LEC™ Sound Acoustic Film SV has improved the damping performance of sound acoustic film through resin design and compounding technology. In addition, it is possible to make the glass thinner while maintaining the same level of sound insulation as laminated glass using conventional sound acoustic interlayer film, thereby contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions through the weight reduction of glass.  The laminated glass using S-LEC™ Sound Acoustic Film SV was highly evaluated for its superior product performance and was adopted for Nissan Motor’s Patrol released in November 2024 (Middle East region).

2. Features of S-LEC™ Sound Acoustic Film SV

Suppresses sounds that were difficult to reduce using conventional interlayer films while contributing to the environment

(1) Suppresses vibration noise in all frequencies more effectively than conventional sound acoustic interlayer film [Figure 1]

The main cause of vibration noise is wind vortices created by the hood, windscreen wipers, A-pillars, door mirrors and the LiDAR sensor on the roof striking the glass.

(2) Improves noise in the high-frequency range (6,000 Hz and above) more effectively than conventional sound acoustic interlayer film [Figure 2]

(3) Improves sound insulation performance by up to 2.3 dB more effectively than conventional sound acoustic interlayer film through installing on the windshield and side door glass; improves AI (Articulation Index) value (speech intelligibility) by 3.3 points (measured value) [Figure 3]

(4) Contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions through weight reduction of the glass. While weight reduction of glass generally reduces sound insulation performance, the use of sound acoustic interlayer film for laminated glass enables sound insulation performance to be maintained and contributes to the optimization of glass thickness to meet the required sound insulation performance.

Figure 1: Vibration evaluation on laminated glass (actual vehicle side glass: 2.1 mm/2.1 mm)　

Suppresses vibration noise in all frequency bands more effectively than conventional sound  acoustic interlayer film

Figure 2: Sound Transmission Loss (STL) laminated glass evaluation (2.0 mm /1.6 mm)

Improves noise in the high-frequency range (6,000 Hz and above) more effectively than conventional sound acoustic interlayer film

Figure 3: Sound Pressure on laminated glass – Wind tunnel test actual vehicle
(Front glass: 2.1 mm/2.1 mm; side door glass: 2.1 mm/2.1 mm)

Improves sound insulation performance by up to 2.3 dB more effectively than conventional sound acoustic interlayer film through installing
on the windshield and side door glass; improves AI (Articulation Index) value (speech intelligibility) by 3.3 points [Figure 3]

* All data are actual measured values, values cannot be guaranteed.

3. Future outlook

In addition to the models mentioned above, S-LEC™ Sound Acoustic Film SV is being applied in other models, improving in-vehicle comfort and contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions.

[Reference]

Global Innovation Award

This award is presented annually to recognize suppliers who have made outstanding contributions to Nissan Motor’s products and brand power through innovative initiatives. As part of the Nissan Global Supplier Award program, the awards are given following a rigorous review by Nissan’ Motor’s responsible design department to innovative solutions that improve Nissan Motor’s vehicles and contribute to the company’s overall goals.

Laminated glass and interlayer film business

Laminated glass is a type of safety glass consisting of two sheets of glass laminated together with an interlayer film between them. Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is widely used as an interlayer film for laminated glass and is characterized by its adhesiveness to glass, penetration resistance, and impact resistance. The interlayer film business produces and sells PVB interlayer films for laminated glass, and they are used in many applications worldwide, including automobiles and architecture.

S-LEC™ website: https://www.s-lecfilm.com/en/
S-LEC™ Sound Acoustic Film information webpage:  https://www.s-lecfilm.com/en/sound-auto/