Excelite TVX: TPL to Launch New Line of Lenses From Trivex Lens Material.

Business Editors

MIDO 2003

BANGRAK, Bangkok--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2003

Thai Polymer Lens. Co. Ltd., a member of Thai Optical Group (TOG), will launch Excelite TVX, a new addition to the Excelite(TM) range of organic lenses, at MIDO 2003, Milan, in May.

Excelite TVX is made from the revolutionary much talked about Trivex(R) material from PPG Industries. The Trivex(R) material is not merely a newly improved version of an existing lens material but an innovation that sets a category of its own. PPG has pegged the Trivex material to date as a tri-performance material excelling in 3 areas, but its capabilities extend beyond that. "TPL has worked together with PPG to come up with the perfect addition to the Excelite(TM) finished stock range. Excelite TVX has such notable benefits as excellent optics, astounding impact resistance, incredibly light and thin, remarkable 3-piece drill mount benefits, and striking chemical resistance all in one single, outwardly unassuming lens, whatever lifestyle one opts for," points out TOG's Executive Director, Dr. Sawang Pracharktam.

Excelite TVX is a 1.53 mid-index organic lens with good solid optical clarity, rivaling that of CR39, thinness that goes up against hi-index materials, and lightness and impact-resistance that leaves polycarbonate in a spin, all in all it has superior or comparable features to all existing lens materials. Excelite TVX is suitable for everyone interested in quality and reliability coupled with all of the important aspects one could hope for in a lens, for both adults and children alike.

Excelite TVX: Availability of Trivex(R) Material Lenses

Finished single vision stock lenses will be available from June 2003, in hardcoat and hard-multicoat with A/R. Excelite TVX semi-finished spheric single vision and progressive 15mm corridor will be added in August, semi-finished aspheric single vision in September and finally semi-finished progressive short corridor will be made available in October.

"PPG is very happy to extend our current relationship with Thai Polymer by adding Trivex material to the portfolio," said Todd White, General Manager of Optical Monomers & Coatings. "Thai Polymer's strong quality standards are respected in the industry and will contribute to the high quality reputation of Trivex lens material."

Lens Data/Properties:

-- Abbe Value: 45

-- Specific gravity: 1.1g/cc

-- Centre thickness: to 1.3mm

-- Chemical resistance: Excellent

-- Impact-resistance: Passes CEN, FDA and ANSI Z87.1 standard for occupational safety

-- Lens types to be available: single vision (finished spheric and semi-finished spheric and aspheric) and progressives (standard and short corridor) - on OEM basis and as Excelite TVX.

For more information on TOG companies and products: www.thaiopticalgroup.com

Further information on Trivex(R): www.ppgtrivex.com

At MIDO 2003, TOG can be found at booth A01 and B02 Hall 15 Floor 2.