Editor’s note: World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is May 14. This day marks an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.
High res images available upon request
KINGSPORT, Tenn., May 10, 2022 — Worldwide, billions of birds are killed as they collide with glass windows and building facades — so much so that many cities and countries now require bird-friendly glazing in new buildings. In response to this global problem, Eastman, in partnership with SEEN AG, has introduced a new polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer for laminated glass: Saflex FlySafe 3D, a highly effective solution to avoid bird collisions without compromising on the view or beauty of glass facades.
Unlike other bird-protection approaches that use decals, printing, or etching on the surface of the glass, Saflex FlySafe 3D features three-dimensional, reflective sequins between two layers of glass. The sequins catch the light at different angles, subtly twinkling to deter birds from the glass — something two-dimensional dots and stripes don’t do.
Due to the 3D nature of the sequins, less coverage is required; the discreet sequin pattern covers less than 1% of the glass area. Other solutions considered highly effective have at least five times the coverage and can be greater than 25%. And because the sequins are layered between glass, it is a long-lasting bird-protection solution.
“Given the prevalence of glass in modern architecture, bird collisions are a global problem,” said Heather Singler, commercial director of Eastman’s global architecture business. “Too often, birds fail to see glass, or misjudge reflections — all leading to avoidable collisions. And we can indeed avoid these collisions. Saflex FlySafe 3D has proven to be highly effective as a bird collision deterrent.”
Collision Laboratories in Hohenau-Ringelsdorf, Austria, have tested and rated the 3D-reflective technology used in Saflex FlySafe 3D. In both transmission and reflective testing, it is recognized in the industry and by ornithologists as one of the best — classified as highly effective, durable, and with better aesthetics. Additionally, Saflex FlySafe 3D helps builders and building owners meet emerging regulations and certifications for bird protection, including securing LEED SSpc55 pilot credits for bird collision deterrence thanks to a threat factor of less than 10 from the American Bird Conservancy.
The minimal coverage of the bird-deterring sequins makes Saflex FlySafe 3D interlayers ideal for a variety of applications, including atriums, balustrades, cladding, curtain walls, exterior doors, facades, link bridges, podium glass, skylights and windows.
In addition to bird collision avoidance, Saflex FlySafe 3D interlayers can be combined with selective coatings and other Saflex products to enhance glass further, giving it greater security, stability, acoustic control, solar control and protection from harmful UV rays.
“Even if your municipality doesn’t require bird-friendly buildings, it’s the right thing to do,” Singler said. “Our experts can help you spec the right type of interlayer — or combination of interlayers —to meet your safety, structural and aesthetic goals while protecting countless birds without trade-offs in efficiency and surface coverage.”
To learn more about the benefits of Saflex FlySafe 3D interlayers and how they make glass construction safer for our feathered friends, visit saflex.com/flysafe.
About Eastman
Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company's innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2021 revenues of approximately $10.5 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit eastman.com.
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Saflex® and all other trademarks listed above are trademarks of Eastman and/or its affiliates.
Media Contact (USA): Janet Ryan, +1 314-614-7408 | [email protected]
Media Contact (Europe): Nathalie Ilic, +33 6 6281 0728, [email protected]
PRODUCT FACT SHEET
Saflex® FlySafeTM 3D interlayer: Bird friendly made beautiful
Problem: Worldwide, billions of birds are killed as they collide with glass windows and building facades. Birds cannot identify clear airspace to fly. They fail to see glass and misjudge reflections—leading to avoidable collisions.
Solution: Cities and countries around the world are now starting to require bird-friendly glazing in new construction. Architects, designers, and builders must specify bird-safe glazing now. Eastman, in partnership with SEEN AG, has introduced a new polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer for laminated glass called Saflex FlySafe 3D, a highly effective solution to avoid bird collisions without compromising on the view or beauty of glass facades. Architects and facade engineers retain the freedom to create visually stunning buildings while still protecting birds.
Product description: Saflex FlySafe 3D features three-dimensional, reflective sequins between two layers of glass. The 3D sequins catch light to produce subtle twinkles that deter birds from glass. The 3D sequins are 9 mm (0.35 in.) in diameter, separated on all sides by 90 mm (3.5 in.), and placed in a grid pattern of columns and rows equal distances apart.
Compatibility: It can be combined with select coatings as well as with Saflex® Acoustic, Clear, Crystal Clear, Storm, Structural, and UV PVB interlayers.
Market distinction: Due to the 3D nature of the sequins, less coverage is required; the discreet sequin pattern covers less than 1% of the glass area. Other solutions considered highly effective have at least five times the coverage and can be greater than 25%.
Applications: It is ideal for atriums, balustrades, cladding, facades, glass fins, link bridges, overhead and sloped glazing, podium glass, and storefronts.
Testing: Collision Laboratories (Collabs) in Hohenau-Ringelsdorf, Austria, have tested and rated the 3D-reflective technology using flight tunnels to demonstrate the material’s high effectiveness in mitigating bird collisions. The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has assigned a threat factor less than 10 to Saflex FlySafe 3D based off these flight tunnel tests in Austria.
Ratings: Saflex FlySafe 3D is recognized in the industry and by ornithologists as one of the best—classified as highly effective and durable with better aesthetics. Additionally, Saflex FlySafe can assist in achieving LEED® pilot credit for SSpc55 (“Bird collision deterrence,” SSpc55, CS v4—Core and Shell).
Key benefits:
• Highly effective—Saflex FlySafe 3D is a bird-friendly glazing solution with an ABC threat
factor of less than 10 and Collabs WIN tunnel rating of highly effective with less than 10% approaches.
- Minimal visual obscuring—Saflex FlySafe 3D uses discreet, optimally placed sequins, unlike alternative bird protection glass that uses screen printing, etching, or UV coating solutions.
- Durable choice—Because it is an interlayer, the sequins are protected from the elements and cleaning tools and fluids and thus require only normal laminated glass cleaning and maintenance.
- Design freedom—Due to its compatibility with Saflex® Acoustic, Structural, and Storm interlayers, Saflex FlySafe 3D enables architects and glass laminators to mitigate bird strikes without compromising safety, security, structural integrity, aesthetics, UV screening, or acoustic control.
- Ease of processing—It uses the same equipment most laminators already have and is available in superwide (322 cm).
Where to watch a tutorial video: Visit saflex.com/flysafe. Where to get more information: Visit saflex.com/flysafe. How to request a sample: Visit saflex.com/flysafe.
