PDLC
Instant privacy, on or off. Opaque unpowered, clear when powered. The most mature standard: the choice when a space needs to hide or reveal in an instant.
Discover Smart Film PDLCTECHNOLOGIES
Smart glass isn’t one thing. Privacy on demand, glare control, passive solar shielding: different needs, different physics. This page lays out the five technologies we supply and what each is for — so the choice is the right one, not the most marketed.
| PDLC | PNLC | SPD | Electrochromic (EC) | Blackout Hyper Glass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At rest, unpowered | Opaque, view cut | Clear | Dark, view intact | Holds the last tint set, view intact | Dark, view cut |
| What it modulates | Opacity | Opacity | Tint | Tint | Tint |
| How it acts on light | Scatters | Scatters | Absorbs | Absorbs | Absorbs |
| Privacy on command | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Holds its state unpowered | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Primary function | Privacy on command | Privacy on command, clear on power loss | Glare control | Solar and thermal control | Solar control, with privacy |
| Supply channel | Retrofit, lamination, finished glass | Retrofit, lamination, finished glass | Retrofit, lamination, finished glass | Lamination and finished glass | Retrofit, lamination, finished glass |
| SPD | Electrochromic (EC) | Blackout Hyper Glass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test condition | Film | Insulating unit 5+12+5, argon | Film |
| Visible light transmission (clear / dark) | 40% / 1% | 55% / 1% | 31% / 1.65% |
| Solar factor g (clear / dark) | 0.38 / 0.05 | 0.48 / 0.09 | 0.58 / 0.42 |
| Infrared blocked (clear / dark) | 50% / 90% | — | 15% / 85% |
| UV blocked, adhesive film | 99.9% | — | 99% |
| Supply voltage | 110 V AC | Low voltage | 48 V AC or 60 V AC |
| Power draw | 5 W/m² while switching, 3 W/m² steady | 0.2 W/m² while shifting, none once set | 5 W/m² steady |
| Transition time | Up to 3 s | ~15 min | Instant, like PDLC |
| Maximum size | 150 cm roll width | 1000 × 1500 mm unit | 150 cm roll width |
SPD and Blackout Hyper Glass measured as film; electrochromic measured as an insulating unit, 5 mm + film + 12 mm argon + 5 mm, per JGJ/T 151-2008, with four tint levels settable between the extremes shown. UV blocking belongs to the adhesive film; laminated versions acquire it through the EVA interlayer. Datasheet values: on-site behaviour depends on the glass build-up.
Instant privacy, on or off. Opaque unpowered, clear when powered. The most mature standard: the choice when a space needs to hide or reveal in an instant.
Discover Smart Film PDLCThe inverse logic. Clear by default, opaque only when needed. For surfaces that stay clear most of the time, and for contexts where a power loss must leave the glass visible.
Discover Smart Film PNLCContinuously adjustable dimming, like a dial. From deep tint to clear in seconds, view intact. For managing glare without closing off the outside.
Discover Smart Glass SPDGradual shift at very low power: the glass tints, clears and holds its state with no energy draw. For passive solar and thermal control on façades and high-efficiency buildings.
Discover Smart Glass ECAbsorbs light rather than scattering it: tints to a smoked finish instead of turning milky. High-performance solar control, with finishes in several tones. The technology behind Blackout Hyper Glass.
Explore Blackout Hyper GlassEvery technology is available as finished glass or as film for lamination, supplied to glaziers and fabricators. Which of the five fits depends on the project: we discuss it before proposing anything.
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
Every project starts from the brief: surfaces, technology, integration. Tell us what you need and we’ll come back with a dedicated proposal.
For offices, architecture, hospitality and high-end residential. Write or call us to assess the right solution.
Glazier, window specialist or installer? We supply switchable film and glass, with technical support to add PDLC to your catalogue.