U.S. Dept. of State Certifies DuPont™ SentryGlas® for Protection of its Buildings

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 27, 2010 - After conducting rigorous tests, the United States Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the security and law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State, has certified DuPont™ SentryGlas® interlayers for forced entry and ballistic resistant protection for glass structures in the more than 400 domestic and overseas diplomatic facilities that it protects.

The U.S. Department of State designs its buildings to include security glazing meeting high standards of protection against threats.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. The agency ensures that America can conduct diplomacy safely and securely, protecting U.S. embassies and personnel overseas and providing other security services.

"The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is enthusiastic about the prospect of the Department transitioning away from glass-clad polycarbonate glazing systems to those that feature SentryGlas® interlayers. Adoption of this change will result in lower initial costs for glazings, reduced life-cycle costs attributed to this product not delaminating, and reduced maintenance costs," said Russ Norris, research and development manager in the Bureau's Physical Security Division.

"SentryGlas® interlayers provide significantly greater protection than conventional glass laminating materials used for security, bullet resistance, forced entry and bomb blast applications," said William H. Harvey, president, DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers. "We are proud of the contribution DuPont science is making to the protection of our government's employees and buildings around the world. DuPont has answered a security need with a long-term performance solution."

Diplomatic Security (DS) testing protocol SD-STD-01.01 for glazing simulates forced entry and ballistics attack.

For buildings exposed to extra risk, laminated safety glass can be designed for bullet- and blast-resistance, to help let in light and keep out trouble. SentryGlas® interlayers also provide protection from weather conditions and are widely adopted for hurricane-resistant glass.  The laminated interlayer's strength and clarity enable architects and building designers to use glass in building or structural designs such as New York's Times Square iconic TKTS Booth or Chicago's Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) viewing platform.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company.  Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.  Operating in approximately 80 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.