Window Film Brands
Window film industry timeline
Window film is a small industry with a tangled family tree. Many of the brands sold today were started by one company, bought by another and renamed along the way. This timeline puts that history in one place, from 1903 to today, with a source you can check on every entry.
Some places to start:
- How a polyester-dyeing plant in Martinsville, Virginia became LLumar, and how the same town gave us SunTek.
- The oldest name in the business: Madico's forerunner Hy-Sil was founded in 1903 and made the first transparent reflective window film in 1948.
- Solar Gard's journey from a San Diego start-up to Belgium's Bekaert and then France's Saint-Gobain.
- Every merger and sale, to see who owns which brand today.
- How tint laws have changed, state by state.
- The research on UV through car windows, including the truck driver whose one-sided sun damage made the New England Journal of Medicine.
Or pick any brand or type in the filters below. The page address updates as you filter, so you can share what you find.
No events match these filters. Try another brand or type.
2020s
-
Garware and Lubrizol agree to make TPU film in India
Garware Hi-Tech Films signed an MoU with Lubrizol and is investing about ₹118 crore in a TPU film line for its paint protection film, expected to run by December 2026.
Source: Autocar Professional (opens in a new tab) · Our coverage at the time
-
Avery Dennison adds Supreme Defense Gloss Lite PPF
A 7.5 mil wet-apply clear gloss paint protection film with a seven-year warranty, priced below Supreme Defense Gloss.
Source: Avery Dennison (opens in a new tab) · Our coverage at the time
-
Delaware: Front side windows opened up to 50% tint
Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 255 rewrote 21 Del. C. 4313: front side windows may now let in as little as 50% of light (before, 70%, the federal FMVSS 205 level), with no medical statement needed. Windows behind the driver still have no limit, and the medical statement exception stays. The Senate passed it 20-0 on June 19, 2026, and it was reported signed into law by August 28, 2026. The bill sets no later effective date.
Source: Delaware House Republican Caucus: vehicle window tinting reform (Aug 28, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
-
Virginia: Clear film allowed on the windshield
Chapter 894 (Senate Bill 506) amended Code 46.2-1052: tinted film on the windshield is still only allowed to replace the manufacturer's sunshield at the top, but clear film may now be applied to the windshield as long as the glass still meets federal glazing standard FMVSS 205. The 50% front-side and 35% rear limits didn't change. The act has no effective-date clause, so it took effect on Virginia's standard date for regular-session acts, July 1, 2026.
Source: Virginia Acts of Assembly 2026, Chapter 894 (SB 506, enrolled) (opens in a new tab)
-
Mississippi: Optometrists can sign medical tint exemptions
Senate Bill 2453, approved by the governor March 13, 2026, lets a Mississippi-licensed optometrist, as well as a physician, attest to a condition aggravated by sunlight for a certificate of medical exemption. The 28% limit didn't change.
Source: Mississippi Legislature, SB 2453 (2026) (opens in a new tab)
-
Iowa: Front side windows opened up to 50% tint
House File 766, signed May 15, 2026, set the front side windows at 50% light transmittance (was 70% under the DOT rule) and wrote the 70% windshield limit into the statute. Windows behind the driver are still not limited. The DOT rule (IAC 761-450.7) still said 70% when we checked on September 29, 2026.
Source: Iowa Legislature, HF 766 bill history (Acts ch. 1100) (opens in a new tab)
-
Georgia: Limits lowered: front sides 28%, rear side windows 15%
House Bill 1161 (Act 640), signed May 12, 2026, rewrote OCGA 40-8-73.1: front side windows must let in at least 28% of light (was 32%), and rear side windows on passenger cars at least 15% (was 32%), each plus or minus 3%. The bill lists the rear windshield under both limits, so read literally it stays at 28%; the bill's summary and most guides say 15%. The windshield rule, the 20% reflectance cap and the exemptions for multipurpose vehicles, buses and limousines didn't change.
Source: Georgia General Assembly: HB 1161 as passed (2026) (opens in a new tab)
-
Avery Dennison launches PrismaPro dry-apply colour PPF
PrismaPro is an 8.5 mil coloured paint protection film installed dry, like a wrap film, with a self-healing top coat and a 10-year warranty; 10 colours at launch.
-
XPEL buys a film factory near Shanghai and a San Antonio manufacturing site
XPEL announced about $110 million of manufacturing and supply chain investment: a manufacturing facility near Shanghai, China, and a four-building site of about 435,000 sq ft in San Antonio to anchor its North American manufacturing. It marked XPEL's move into making film itself.
Source: XPEL press release (Business Wire) (opens in a new tab)
-
Minnesota: Optometrists can sign medical tint statements
Session Laws 2026, chapter 89 lets an optometrist, as well as a physician, write the prescription or statement of medical need for darker tint. It is retroactive to July 1, 2025 and applies to prescriptions issued since then. The 50% limit didn't change.
Source: Minnesota Session Laws 2026, ch. 89 (opens in a new tab)
-
Madico completes its purchase of Johnson
Madico announced it had acquired Johnson for an undisclosed amount. Madico took over manufacturing, sales and customer service; many Johnson employees joined Madico, and William Davidson, son of owner Scott Davidson, stayed on to lead the Johnson brand.
-
Madico agrees to buy Johnson Window Films
Madico announced a definitive agreement to buy Johnson Laminating & Coating and Johnson Window Films, including Johnson's Amsterdam business serving Europe.
Source: Madico (opens in a new tab)
-
North Carolina: Tint no longer checked at inspection; roll down when stopped
Section 22 of Session Law 2025-47 (Senate Bill 391) ended tint checks and the $10 tint fee at the annual safety inspection, and requires drivers to lower tinted windows on the side a law enforcement officer approaches. It also lets people with light-sensitive conditions hold up to four medical tint permits. The 35% limit didn't change, and police can still cite illegal tint.
Source: North Carolina General Assembly, Session Law 2025-47 (SB 391) (opens in a new tab)
-
Maryland: Medical exemptions for permanent conditions no longer expire
Chapter 452 (House Bill 436), approved May 13, 2025, removed the 2-year limit on a doctor's certification for darker tint when the doctor finds the condition permanent; those certifications are now valid indefinitely. The 35% limit didn't change.
Source: Laws of Maryland 2025, Chapter 452 (HB 436) (opens in a new tab)
-
XPEL launches COLOR paint protection film
XPEL launched COLOR PPF: self-healing paint protection film in 16 colours, with a 10-year warranty, sold through its authorized installers.
Source: XPEL press release (Business Wire) (opens in a new tab)
-
Louisiana: Front side windows lowered from 40% to 25%
Act 143 of 2025 (House Bill 119) let the front side windows go to 25% light transmission, the same as the side windows behind the driver. The 12% limit on the rear window didn't change.
Source: Louisiana Legislature, Act 143 (2025), enrolled HB 119 (opens in a new tab)
-
Cosmo enters paint protection film
Cosmo Consumer, set up in April 2025, began selling paint protection film and ceramic coatings through about 75 distributors in India, with export plans for the Middle East and Europe.
-
Minnesota: Medical tint statements must give a limit and an end date
Session Laws 2025, chapter 5 requires the prescription or statement to say whether the need is temporary or permanent, the minimum light transmittance needed, and an expiration date no more than two years out unless permanent.
Source: Minnesota Session Laws 2025, ch. 5 (opens in a new tab)
-
Hawaii: Sedans join the rear-window exemption; reflective colours banned; higher fines
Act 129 (H.B. 226) exempted the rear window and side windows behind the driver on sedans with outside mirrors on both sides, as vans, trucks and buses already were (sedan back windows had a 35% limit before). It also banned mirrored or highly reflective finishes that look red, yellow, amber or blue, required drivers and passengers to roll tinted windows fully down at a traffic stop, and raised fines to $300-$550 for owners and $700-$1,200 for installers. The 35% (plus or minus 6%) front side limit didn't change. It took effect when signed.
Source: Hawaii Session Laws 2025, Act 129 (opens in a new tab)
-
Cosmo Sunshield window film goes into production
After market trials, Cosmo First began commercial production of Cosmo Sunshield window film for cars, homes and offices.
-
Avery Dennison launches Encore car window films
Avery Dennison introduced Encore automotive window films in three tiers, Encore, Encore Supreme and Encore Supreme IR, all dye-free and metal-free; the nanoceramic Supreme IR rejects up to 93% of infrared heat.
-
New Hampshire: Tint beside the driver now allowed at 70%
RSA 266:58-a, as published in 2025, allows aftermarket tint on the windows beside the driver if it lets in at least 70% of light, 35% on the rear windows, and a 6-inch windshield strip at 35% or more. Our 2011 records said no front tint was allowed. We don't know the exact year this changed.
Source: New Hampshire RSA 266:58-a (Justia, 2025) (opens in a new tab)
-
Cosmo First announces paint protection film
Cosmo First announced Cosmo PPF, a paint protection film with a lifetime warranty, and began market trials.
Source: Cosmo First press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Kentucky: Full-windshield film allowed at 70% or more
Senate Bill 46, effective July 2024, allows film across the whole windshield if it lets in at least 70% of light and isn't red or yellow.
Source: News coverage of Kentucky's 2024 windshield tint change (opens in a new tab)
-
Eastman buys Ai-Red Technology in China
Eastman bought Ai-Red Technology (Dalian), a maker of paint protection and window film, adding production capacity for Asia Pacific.
Source: Eastman (opens in a new tab)
-
Cosmo Films becomes Cosmo First
The company renamed itself Cosmo First as it grew beyond packaging film into specialty chemicals and consumer products.
Source: Angel One (opens in a new tab)
-
Utah: Front side limit lowered from 43% to 35%
S.B. 149 let front side windows go darker: from at least 43% light transmission to at least 35%, the limit today.
Source: Utah Legislature, S.B. 149 (2022), enrolled bill (opens in a new tab)
-
Eastman buys PremiumShield
Eastman bought Matrix Films and its UK affiliate PremiumShield, adding their paint protection film pattern library, installer training and dealer base.
Source: glassonweb (opens in a new tab)
-
Garware Polyester becomes Garware Hi-Tech Films
The listed company changed its name to Garware Hi-Tech Films.
-
KDX's parent heads for delisting after fraud finding
China's securities regulator concluded that Kangde Xin inflated its profits by 11.5 billion yuan ($1.8 billion) from 2015 to 2018, leaving the company facing mandatory delisting from the Shenzhen exchange. Its shares had been suspended since July 8, 2019.
-
Garware starts making paint protection film
Garware Polyester began producing automotive paint protection film at its Aurangabad plant.
2010s
-
Regulator accuses KDX's parent of inflating profits by 11.9 billion yuan
China's securities regulator said Kangde Xin Composite Material overstated its profits by 11.9 billion yuan ($1.7 billion) over four years through 2018, partly by shipping plastic abroad and recording it as sales of optical film.
-
XPEL listed on Nasdaq
XPEL's shares began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol XPEL.
-
Madico Canada formed
Madico bought its two Canadian distributors, Courage Distributing and Window Film Systems, to form Madico Canada.
Source: Madico (opens in a new tab)
-
Madico buys Midwest Marketing's distribution center
Madico bought the Midwest Marketing distribution center in Peoria, Illinois.
Source: Madico (opens in a new tab)
-
California: Clear UV-blocking film allowed with a dermatologist's certificate
Assembly Bill 1303 (Chapter 210) lets drivers who must avoid UV exposure for a medical reason apply clear, colorless film to the windshield, side and rear windows if it lets in at least 88% of visible light, meets FMVSS 205 and blocks UVA, with a certificate signed by a dermatologist.
Source: California Legislature, AB 1303 (2017) (opens in a new tab)
-
New York: Tint checked at annual inspection
From January 1, 2017, the yearly New York State vehicle inspection includes an examination of tinted or shaded windows.
-
XPEL launches PRIME window film
XPEL added automotive window film, branded PRIME, the same year it set up its European headquarters in the Netherlands. In 2018 it added architectural and security film for homes and businesses.
Source: XPEL, Inc. annual report (Form 10-K) for 2019, SEC (opens in a new tab)
-
Avery Dennison agrees to buy Hanita Coatings
Avery Dennison agreed to pay $75 million for Hanita Coatings, owned by Kibbutz Hanita and Tene Investment Funds. Hanita, based in Israel's Western Galilee, made coated, laminated and metallized polyester films, including architectural and automotive window films, with about $50 million in 2015 sales and more than 220 employees. The deal closed on March 2, 2017.
-
Madico buys ClearPlex
Madico agreed to buy ClearPlex windshield protection film and the ProtectionPro cutting system from ClearPlex Corporation of Draper, Utah. Madico had made ClearPlex film for the previous ten years.
Source: Madico (opens in a new tab)
-
Tennessee: Some vehicle classes exempted from the darkness limit
Public Chapter 583 (House Bill 1474) amended TCA 55-9-107 to exempt certain classes of motor vehicles from the tint darkness limits. The 35% limit for other vehicles didn't change. We haven't read the act to list which classes.
Source: Tennessee General Assembly, HB 1474 (109th GA), Public Chapter 583 (opens in a new tab)
-
Study measures how little UVA car side windows block
Testing 29 cars, a JAMA Ophthalmology study found windshields blocked about 96% of UVA on average, but driver's side windows only 71%, and as little as 44%.
Source: Boxer Wachler, JAMA Ophthalmology (PubMed) (opens in a new tab) · More on this
-
IWFA takes in the European Window Film Association
The EWFA, founded in 2000, became a chapter of the International Window Film Association instead of a separate group.
-
UVShield becomes Vista by LLumar
Eastman's UVShield residential films were renamed Vista by LLumar; case studies from 2016 on describe them as "Vista by LLumar (formerly UVShield)".
-
Eastman completes its purchase of Commonwealth Laminating & Coating
The deal closed at $438 million including debt repayment. It included the Martinsville plant and distribution center and nine sales distribution centers; Commonwealth had about $100 million in 2013 sales.
-
ASWF launches ExcelIRP nano-ceramic car film
An infrared-rejecting version of ASWF's Excel car film, in seven shades from clear to dark.
-
Eastman agrees to buy SunTek's maker
Eastman agreed to buy Commonwealth Laminating & Coating, the Martinsville, Virginia maker of SunTek window and paint protection film.
-
KDX builds a window film business in Shanghai
China's Kangde Xin (KDX) registered its optical film company in the Shanghai free trade zone and invested 4.5 billion yuan in an optical film production cluster. KDX says its window film had 15% of the Chinese market in 2016.
-
First Solar Gard retail store opens
Solar Gard opened its first North American branded window film store, in Richmond, Virginia, with Brian Sexton and Jim Bundick.
Source: Solar Gard press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Solar Gard opens its Qingdao plant
Saint-Gobain's chairman opened Solar Gard's new plant in Qingdao, China, to serve the growing Asian market for car and building window films.
Source: Solar Gard press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Second Martinsville expansion in nine months
Commonwealth Laminating & Coating invested another $5.45 million and added 60 jobs; Virginia beat Arizona and North Carolina for the project.
Source: Office of the Governor of Virginia (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
SunTek releases TruCut pattern software
Cutting software preloaded with vehicle patterns for paint protection and window film. SunTek also opened a California distribution center in Anaheim.
Source: SunTek press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Eastman completes its purchase of Solutia
Eastman Chemical bought Solutia, and with it CPFilms and its window film brands.
FormulaOneHuper OptikLLumarV-KOOL
Source: CHEManager (opens in a new tab)
-
Parent company Saint-Gobain buys SAGE Electrochromics
Saint-Gobain acquired dynamic-glass maker SAGE, adding switchable glazing alongside Solar Gard's films. TintCenter covered it at the time.
-
India's Supreme Court bans tinted film on cars
In Avishek Goenka v. Union of India, the court prohibited film of any darkness on vehicle glass across India, with enforcement from May 4, 2012. The ban hit India's only window film maker at home and pushed Garware further into exports, especially the US.
Source: Himachal Pradesh State Judicial Academy (copy of the order) (opens in a new tab)
-
Truck driver's one-sided sun damage makes the New England Journal of Medicine
A man who drove a delivery truck for 28 years had severe sun damage on only the left side of his face, from UVA through the side window.
Source: Gordon and Brieva, New England Journal of Medicine (PubMed) (opens in a new tab) · More on this
-
Solar Gard dealer app launches
Solar Gard released its Solar Gard Solutions app for iOS to help dealers run their businesses; an Android version followed on March 26, 2013.
Source: Solar Gard press release, March 26, 2013 (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
SunTek launches paint protection film
SunTek's first urethane paint protection film line, in coated and non-coated versions.
Source: SunTek press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Solutia completes its purchase of Southwall Technologies
Solutia paid $113 million for Southwall, maker of the spectrally selective XIR film behind V-KOOL, adding energy-saving film technology for cars and buildings.
Source: PR Newswire (opens in a new tab)
-
SunTek's maker expands its Martinsville plant
Commonwealth Laminating & Coating invested $16.5 million and added 40 jobs at its only manufacturing plant, choosing Virginia over China for the new equipment.
Source: Commonwealth Laminating & Coating press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Solutia agrees to buy Southwall Technologies
Solutia agreed to pay $13.60 a share, about $113 million, for Southwall, saying the deal made it the world leader in advanced sputtering technology.
Source: Solutia press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Saint-Gobain agrees to buy Solar Gard from Bekaert
Bekaert agreed to sell its Specialty Films business, including the Solar Gard brand and plants in San Diego, Zulte (Belgium) and Suzhou (China), to Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics.
-
Madico moves its window film division to St. Petersburg
After buying SolaMatrix (Sun-Gard), Madico made the St. Petersburg, Florida plant the home and main production site of its window film division.
Source: Letter from Madico president Bob Connelly (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Solar Gard announces a plant in Qingdao, China
Solar Gard said it would build a factory in Qingdao, Shandong province, for window films and solar-panel backsheet.
Source: SolarServer, January 2011 (archived by Solar Gard) (opens in a new tab)
-
XPEL ULTIMATE: self-healing paint protection film
XPEL introduced ULTIMATE, which it describes as the industry's first protective film with self-healing properties: light scratches and marks disappear as the film returns to its original state.
Source: XPEL, Inc. annual report (Form 10-K) for 2019, SEC (opens in a new tab)
-
Madico buys SolaMatrix, owner of Sun-Gard
Madico bought SolaMatrix of St. Petersburg, Florida, the maker of Sun-Gard window film. The business stayed in St. Petersburg, where Madico expanded manufacturing.
-
Solutia buys Novomatrix, owner of Huper Optik and V-KOOL
Solutia paid $73 million for Singapore-based Novomatrix, adding the V-KOOL, Hüper Optik, Nanolux, IQue and Sun-X brands to its window film business.
Source: Solutia press release (SEC filing) (opens in a new tab)
-
SunTek launches CarbonXP
A non-metal, nano-hybrid car film in seven shades from 5% to 80%, with 10 to 15% better solar performance than SunTek Carbon.
Source: SunTek press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Huper Optik launches an exterior film line
Exterior Silver 15 and Exterior Neutral 25 and 40, aimed at commercial buildings such as museums and campuses.
Source: Huper Optik USA press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
LLumar EnerLogic 35 low-e film launched
EnerLogic 35, a low-emissivity film that insulates windows in winter as well as rejecting summer heat, launched in 2010; the clearer EnerLogic 70 followed.
Source: Solutia EnerLogic 70 release, 2012 (archived) (opens in a new tab)
2000s
-
Solar Gard's maker earns ISO 9001:2008
Bekaert Specialty Films, maker of Solar Gard, Panorama and Quantum films, moved to the ISO 9001:2008 quality standard.
Source: Bekaert Specialty Films press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Illinois allows tint on the front side windows
A new Illinois law let drivers tint the front side windows, with the limit tied to how dark the back windows are. CPFilms said it worked with state officials on the change.
Source: CPFilms press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
LLumar paint protection film launched
CPFilms launched LLumar-branded paint protection film at the 2009 SEMA show.
Source: CPFilms press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
ASWF brand launched
Erickson International of Las Vegas, maker of ASWF film, first used the American Standard Window Film trademark.
-
Solar Gard's maker earns ISO 14001
Bekaert Specialty Films earned ISO 14001:2004 environmental-management certification.
Source: Bekaert Specialty Films press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Nissan and Volkswagen dealers in Taiwan offer V-KOOL as standard
55 Nissan and 45 Volkswagen showrooms offered V-KOOL, including the clear V-KOOL 70, as part of their standard package for two years. V-KOOL said more than 20 million cars had its film.
Source: V-KOOL press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Huper Optik USA moves to a green headquarters in Houston
The new headquarters and training center, planned for LEED certification, was announced ahead of the company's 10-year anniversary in the US.
Source: Huper Optik USA press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Toyota dealers in Jakarta offer V-KOOL film
P.T. Toyota Astra Motor offered V-KOOL film through its Jakarta dealerships, marketed on fuel savings.
Source: V-KOOL press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Huper Optik launches Fusion metalized films
Hüper Optik USA introduced Hüper Fusion 10, 20, 30 and 40, a metalized line alongside its ceramic and spectrally selective films, at its national dealer meeting in San Antonio.
Source: Hüper Optik USA press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Maine: Side and rear limit lowered from 50% to 35%
Maine's law originally required at least 50% light transmission on all side and rear windows. A 2009 change lowered that to 35%, which is still the limit (and windows behind the driver are exempt with two outside mirrors).
-
LLumar AIR Blue windscreen film launched
CPFilms launched AIR Blue, a windscreen film that cuts UV and infrared heat without reducing visibility, under the global LLumar brand.
Source: CPFilms press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
NFRC certifies 45 Madico window films
The National Fenestration Rating Council certified 45 Madico films, including Sunscape Select, SafetyShield and Advanced Ceramics. Madico said that was more than twice as many as any other maker.
Source: Madico press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
SunTek launches Ultra-VisionDS spectrally selective film
A high-end architectural line (ULV 70, 50 and 40) with high light transmission, high heat rejection and low reflectance.
Source: SunTek press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Huper Optik films earn NFRC certification
Its ceramic and Select Series films, made with Southwall, were certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council. Huper Optik said it was only the second window film company to be certified.
Source: Huper Optik USA press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
NFRC procedure lets windows be rated with window film
A 2008 procedure, published by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's windows group, set out how to add an applied film to glass in the Optics program and carry it into WINDOW for an NFRC whole-window rating, using an approved list of applied films.
Source: Berkeley Lab Windows & Daylighting: NFRC procedures for applied films (opens in a new tab)
-
Globamatrix and Mulberry Asia Fund form Novomatrix to buy Huper Optik and V-KOOL
The joint venture bought the Singapore group behind Huper Optik, V-KOOL, Nanolux and IQue, which then sold in 26 countries. The group said it was the first to commercialize patented nano-ceramic window film, sold as Huper Optik.
Source: Globamatrix and Mulberry Asia Fund announcement (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
XPEL starts selling paint protection film
XPEL began selling its own automotive paint protection film alongside its pattern software.
Source: XPEL, Inc. annual report (Form 10-K) for 2019, SEC (opens in a new tab)
-
Madico launches ClearPlex windshield protection film
Madico called ClearPlex, developed with ClearPlex Corporation, the first invisible windshield protection film on the market. Madico bought ClearPlex outright in 2016.
Source: Madico press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Georgia: Tint law restored after a court ruling
House Bill 20 revived Georgia's window tint statute, with minor changes, after the Georgia Supreme Court had found the earlier version unconstitutional. It set the 32% limit (plus or minus 3%) and ended the requirement for compliance labels.
Source: Georgia Department of Public Safety: Georgia's new window tint law (opens in a new tab)
-
Solar Gard's maker earns ISO 9001
Bekaert Specialty Films, maker of Solar Gard, received ISO 9001 quality-management certification.
Source: Bekaert Specialty Films press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Solar Gard True Grey non-reflective car film introduced
Bekaert Specialty Films extended its non-reflective automotive line with Solar Gard True Grey, a neutral grey meant to match factory-tinted glass without interfering with satellite signals.
Source: Bekaert Specialty Films press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Madico marks 100 years
Madico celebrated its centennial with a special history issue of its dealer newsletter, tracing the company back to Hy-Sil in 1903.
Source: The Madico Monthly, September 2003 (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
GSA blast test method for windows, TS01-2003
The US General Services Administration's test standard gives windows a performance condition (such as 3a, 3b, 4 or 5) based on whether the glass breaches and how far fragments fly after a simulated blast. Security film makers test films on their own and with anchoring systems (structural silicone, flexible or mechanical attachments) that tie the film to the frame.
Source: Solar Gard: GSA blast testing summary (Armorcoat films) (opens in a new tab)
-
LLumar launched in India
CPFilms introduced the LLumar brand in India.
Source: CPFilms international release, July 2003 (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
European pendulum impact test for glass, EN 12600
EN 12600 set a pendulum impact test for flat glass in buildings and sorts glass into three classes by how it performs and how it breaks, to reduce cuts and keep broken pieces contained. The British edition was published on January 9, 2003.
-
CPFilms commits $30 million to expand in Martinsville
A three-year program of new machinery, buildings and capacity, starting with a 20,000 square foot facility, to meet growth in its coating and window film business.
Source: CPFilms press release (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
LLumar brand launched internationally
CPFilms took the LLumar brand into international markets in January 2001.
Source: CPFilms media kit, 2006 (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Safety film demand jumps after the September 11 attacks
Madico said its safety film sales rose 400% in the five months after the attacks, as buildings looked for ways to stop flying glass. The IWFA's director called safety film the industry's hot button.
Source: Boston Business Journal, September 2003 (archived) (opens in a new tab)
-
Bekaert buys the business
Belgium's Bekaert bought the Specialty Films business of Material Sciences Corporation, including its San Diego coating and laminating plants, and built it into Solar Gard Specialty Films.
1990s
-
Solutia buys CPFilms
Solutia bought CPFilms, the Martinsville, Virginia maker of LLumar and FormulaOne film.
-
Sun-Gard sold to SolaMatrix
The brand was sold to SolaMatrix, a window film maker in St. Petersburg, Florida, which kept selling Sun-Gard film.
Source: TintCenter archive
-
Alaska: Tint rules last amended in 13 AAC 04.223
Alaska sets its tint limits in regulation, last amended in 1998: front side windows 70%, rear doors, quarter glass and back glass 40%, a 5-inch windshield strip, no mirrored tint.
Source: Alaska Administrative Code, 13 AAC 04.223 (Cornell LII) (opens in a new tab)
-
XPEL founded in San Antonio
XPEL started as a software company designing vehicle patterns for cutting paint protection film to fit, instead of trimming it on the car. It was incorporated in Nevada in 2003.
Source: XPEL, Inc. annual report (Form 10-K) for 2019, SEC (opens in a new tab)
-
Huper Optik founded
Huper Optik International was established in Singapore as a window film brand built on ceramic coatings.
Source: Huper Optik (opens in a new tab)
-
Scorpion Window Film founded
Scorpion, a family-owned window film maker, started out serving the automotive aftermarket and accessory industry.
Source: Scorpion Window Film: Who we are (opens in a new tab)
-
ASTM test method for glass under bomb blasts
ASTM F1642 set out how to test glazing and glazing systems against airblast loads and rate the hazard to people inside. It covers glass, plastic, laminated glass and film-backed glass, so security window film can be rated with it.
-
Commonwealth Laminating & Coating founded
Commonwealth Laminating & Coating, maker of SunTek film, was founded at the Patriot Centre in Martinsville, Virginia.
Source: Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society (opens in a new tab)
-
IWFA recognized as a nonprofit trade association
The International Window Film Association, based in Martinsville, Virginia, received its federal tax exemption as a trade association in December 1992. Sources differ on when it was founded: Tint Wiz says 1985, other listings say 1991, and the IWFA itself says only that it has served the industry for more than 30 years.
Source: IRS data via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (opens in a new tab)
-
New York: Today's 70% rule applies from 1992 model years
The Vehicle and Traffic Law lets 1991 and older model-year vehicles keep window tint that met the law as it stood on December 31, 1991 (VTL 375(12-a)(e)); newer vehicles must meet the current 70% rule on the windshield and front side windows.
Source: New York Vehicle and Traffic Law 375 (NY Senate) (opens in a new tab)
-
Pennsylvania: Medical exemption added
Act 137 of 1990 added medical exemption certificates for people with photosensitive conditions.
Source: Pennsylvania Bulletin, Sep 21, 1996 (history of 75 Pa.C.S. 4524) (opens in a new tab)
-
FSK becomes Lintec
FSK merged with Shikoku Paper and Sohken Chemical to form Lintec Corporation, Madico's parent today.
Source: Madico (opens in a new tab)
1980s
-
NFRC formed to rate window energy performance
About 25 window and door industry leaders at an ASHRAE meeting in Vancouver voted to form the National Fenestration Rating Council, to replace competing state and utility rating schemes with one national energy rating system. Its first official meeting was in Orlando on December 4, 1989. NFRC later added ratings for window film.
Source: NFRC Behind the Glass: A History of NFRC (NFRC, 2003) (opens in a new tab)
-
HEXIS founded in France
Michel Mateu founded HEXIS in Frontignan, in the south of France, as a maker of self-adhesive vinyl films for signs and printing.
-
Madico becomes part of FSK
Madico became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese company FSK.
Source: Madico (opens in a new tab)
-
Courtaulds buys Martin Processing
Britain's Courtaulds bought Martin Processing, later combining it with other film makers it bought (Gila River, Andus and Silverlight) as CPFilms.
Source: Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society (opens in a new tab)
-
Pennsylvania: First limits on sun screening
A 1984 act added Pennsylvania's first restrictions on sun screening material on vehicle windows.
Source: Pennsylvania Bulletin, Sep 21, 1996 (history of 75 Pa.C.S. 4524) (opens in a new tab)
-
Sun-Gard founded
Sun-Gard started out in window film and went on to install film on buildings such as the Guggenheim Museum, the American Stock Exchange and IBM headquarters.
Source: TintCenter archive
-
Florida: Side window rule passed, then amended twice
Florida's side window statute (316.2953, today at least 28% on the front sides) was first passed in 1984 (ch. 84-296) and amended in 1991 (ch. 91-42) and 1999 (ch. 99-248). We haven't read the 1991 and 1999 acts to say exactly what each changed.
Source: Florida Statutes 316.2953, history note (Online Sunshine) (opens in a new tab)
-
Hanita Coatings founded on a kibbutz
Hanita Coatings was founded on Kibbutz Hanita in Israel's Western Galilee, making coated, laminated and metallized polyester films, including window films. Avery Dennison bought it in 2017, and it opened a plant in Changzhou, China in 2019.
Source: Avery Dennison Hanita: History and values (opens in a new tab)
-
Garware introduces sun control window film
Garware, then a polyester film maker in western India, introduced its sun control window film, later sold abroad under the Global name.
Source: Solar Control Films Inc. (US Garware distributor) (opens in a new tab)
-
Skin Cancer Foundation creates its Seal of Recommendation
The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal started with sunscreens. It now also covers car window tint, architectural window film and laminated glass that block 99% or more of UVA and UVB.
Source: The Skin Cancer Foundation: Seal of Recommendation (opens in a new tab)
-
Reflectiv founded in Paris
Reflectiv started making technical window films in Paris, began industrial production with permanent stock in France in 1990, and expanded across Europe from 1998. It now calls itself Europe's leading adhesive window film maker.
Source: Reflectiv (opens in a new tab)
1970s
-
Southwall introduces Heat Mirror film
Southwall Technologies of Palo Alto introduced its Suspended Heat Mirror film for insulating windows in 1979. Southwall later made the XIR spectrally selective film behind V-KOOL, and was bought by Solutia in 2011.
Source: Southwall Technologies annual report (Form 10-K) for 2007, SEC (opens in a new tab)
-
Haverkamp founded in Germany for security film
Haverkamp started in Münster during the years of terrorist attacks in Germany, to protect threatened public figures' homes and workplaces with security film. It filed for its PROFILON trademark in the US in 1983 and added a sun protection film business in 1988.
Source: Haverkamp: Corporate development (opens in a new tab)
-
Federal safety standard for glass in doors and showers
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued its Safety Standard for Architectural Glazing Materials (16 CFR 1201) to cut injuries from walking, running or falling through glass in storm doors, doors, bathtub and shower enclosures and sliding patio doors. It took effect in July 1977.
Source: Federal Register, March 23, 2016 (CPSC amendment, with the standard's history) (opens in a new tab)
-
STEK founded in South Korea
STEK supplied paint protection film to car makers, including Hyundai and Toyota, before selling to consumers under its own name. It describes itself as one of the world's largest paint protection film suppliers, private-label and under its own brand.
-
Cosmo Films founded
Ashok Jaipuria founded Cosmo Films, which set up its first polypropylene film line in Aurangabad in 1981. The company itself dates its founding to 1981 ("Founded by Mr Ashok Jaipuria in 1981", Cosmo First press releases, 2023 to 2025); an earlier business history gives October 1976.
Source: Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
-
Solar Gard starts in San Diego (1975 or 1977)
The business that became Solar Gard Specialty Films began in San Diego. Sources differ on the year: Solar Gard's own literature says it has made window film in California "since 1975" (2010), while the San Diego Business Journal (2011) dates the start to 1977.
-
Johnson founded
Alan Johnson founded Johnson Laminating & Coating, which later launched the Johnson Window Films brand.
Source: Madico (opens in a new tab)
1960s
-
Federal glazing standard FMVSS 205 takes effect
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205, issued on February 3, 1967 with the first federal vehicle safety standards, required windshields and windows in new cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles to meet the safety glazing code USA Standard Z26.1-1966 from January 1, 1968. Several state tint laws on this timeline measure against it.
-
Madico formed
Hy-Sil formed Material Distribution Corporation, Madico, in Woburn, Massachusetts.
Source: Madico (opens in a new tab)
-
3M patents metallized window film
3M was granted US patent 3,290,203 (filed February 8, 1965; inventors David Antonson and Gerald Berger) for plastic film with a thin vapor-deposited aluminum coating, bonded to window glass with a water-activated adhesive to cut solar heat and glare while staying clear.
Source: US patent 3,290,203 (Google Patents) (opens in a new tab)
-
First US safety glazing standard for buildings, ANSI Z97.1
As sliding patio doors spread in the mid-1960s, glass industry groups including the Glass Tempering Association and Laminated Glass Association wrote a standard for break-safe glass in buildings, published in 1966. It was voluntary at first; the federal CPSC standard followed in 1977.
Source: USGlass Magazine: A Clear Defense (May 15, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
-
Research Frontiers founded to develop smart glass
Robert Saxe founded Research Frontiers to develop light-control technology from Polaroid, which became SPD-SmartGlass: film and glass whose tint can be changed electrically. The company licenses the technology to film and glass makers.
1950s
-
Martin Processing founded (1955 or 1956)
Julius Hermes founded Martin Processing near Martinsville, Virginia, to dye polyester; it became the home of LLumar film. Sources differ on the year: CPFilms' own history says it was founded in 1955 and marked its 50th anniversary in 2005, while the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society says Hermes and Burness Frith opened it in Collinsville in 1956.
-
Biaxially oriented polyester film invented
ICI in Britain and DuPont in the US developed polyester (PET) film in the early 1950s; Mylar Specialty Films, the company that now owns both businesses' film brands (Mylar and Melinex), dates the invention of biaxially oriented PET film to 1952. Window film is built on this kind of clear, strong polyester film.
Source: Mylar Specialty Films: The history of polyester film (opens in a new tab)
1940s
-
First transparent reflective window film
Hy-Sil commercialized the first transparent reflective window film.
Source: Madico (opens in a new tab)
1930s
-
Stan Avery starts Kum Kleen Products
R. Stanton Avery and his wife started Kum Kleen Products in Los Angeles; it was renamed Avery Adhesives in 1937 and combined with Dennison Manufacturing in 1990 to form Avery Dennison.
Source: Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
1900s
-
Hy-Sil, Madico's forerunner, founded
Hy-Sil was founded in Boston with David Hyman as its first president.
Source: Madico (opens in a new tab)
-
3M founded in Two Harbors, Minnesota
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, later 3M, was founded in Two Harbors, Minnesota. It is based in Maplewood, Minnesota today.
Source: Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Know something we missed?
This is a living record of the window film industry. If you have news of a sale, merger, launch, closure, law change or study, or a correction, send it to us with a source and we'll add it.
TintCenter is independent: no maker pays to appear or be ranked here. We also sell film by the roll, and store links are marked "Shop". How we research and make money.