by Rebecca Walker — November 29, 2010 SAGE Electrochromatics, the Minnesota-based maker of electrochromic windows, has sold a 50 percent share in its company to Saint-Gobain, a global building materials firm based in France.
The windows darken on hot sunny days to block heat and glare, clear up on cool or cloudy days to allow in sunlight and warmth, save energy, eliminate the need for blinds or shades and allow people indoors to be connected all the time to the natural world.
SAGE is a privately-held high-tech company founded in 1989, while giant Saint-Gobain traces its beginnings to the 17th century. Before the alliance, they had been competing to develop windows that would electronically control the sun’s energy that flows through them.
John Van Dine, SAGE’s founder and CEO, said the deal will finance a new plant to increase the firm’s manufacturing capacity. For more information, see the SAGE Web site.
