UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): October 22, 2018
RESEARCH FRONTIERS INCORPORATED
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
| DELAWARE | 000-14893 | 11 -2103466 | ||
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION) |
(COMMISSION FILE NUMBER) |
(IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.) |
240 CROSSWAYS PARK DRIVE
WOODBURY, NEW YORK 11797-2033
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND ZIP CODE)
REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (516) 364-1902
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
| [ ] | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| [ ] | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| [ ] | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| [ ] | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
Dusseldorf, Germany. October 22, 2018 – Research Frontiers Inc. (Nasdaq: REFR) and Gauzy Ltd., a world-leading vendor of material science and light control technologies, announced today that Gauzy will be exhibiting SPD-Smart light control film at this week’s Glasstec 2018 Exhibition. Glasstec is the industry’s leading international glass exhibition, highlighting the most innovative developments in glass technology, processing, and production. The four-day exhibition will take place in Dusseldorf, Germany, on October 23 – 26 at the Dusseldorf Fair Grounds.
Gauzy will be exhibiting in Hall 11, booth number A41 in their largest booth ever at Glasstec. With over ten team members present, including the CEO, CTO, VP of Sales, and global sales managers, the company will be showcasing Gauzy SPD for architectural and automotive applications. Gauzy’s first-class, outdoor grade SPD technology allows dynamic light and energy control in transparent substrates. The company will also be presenting its Liquid Crystal based technologies, and offering special show only promotions on all products, for new and existing partners. All glass professionals, automotive OEMs, architects, interior designers, and industry professionals are invited to visit Gauzy’s booth (11A41).
Gauzy Ltd. is a licensee of Research Frontiers, the inventor of patented SPD-SmartGlass technology. The company is licensed to develop and manufacture SPD-Smart light control emulsion and film, as well as make SPD-Smart end products for various industries. Last month, Gauzy led a group that invested $2 million in Research Frontiers. Earlier this month, RFI and Gauzy announced the inauguration of their SPD film production line at a ribbon cutting ceremony at their factory in Tel Aviv-Yafo. This production line has the capacity to produce over 365 thousand square meters of SPD light-control film per year per shift. Gauzy plans to introduce SPD film this year in 1.2 meter widths which will be the widest SPD film offered in the industry. Gauzy’s plans call for the introduction of SPD film 1.5 meters wide next year and 1.8 meters wide the following year. Gauzy currently produces PDLC film in 1.8 meter wide rolls.
The markets for SPD-Smart film are already well-established. Research Frontiers has licensed over 40 chemical, film, and glass companies which are selling products for the automotive, aircraft, marine, train, museum and consumer electronics industries. Gauzy’s established and growing network of over 55 glass fabricators worldwide brings additional synergies, infrastructure, and growth opportunities to the smart glass industry.
Research Frontiers patented SPD-SmartGlass technology is the same best-selling smart window technology that can be found on various car models from Daimler. The MAGIC SKY CONTROL feature, which is now in use on tens of thousands of Mercedes-Benz SLs, SLC/SLKs, Maybach and S-Class models around the world, uses patented SPD-SmartGlass technology developed by Research Frontiers to turn the roof transparent by electrically aligning tiny particles in a thin film within the glass. With the touch of a button, drivers and passengers can instantly change the tint of their roof to help keep out harsh sunlight and heat, and create an open-air feeling even when the sunroof is closed. Glass or plastic using Research Frontiers’ patented SPD-SmartGlass technology effectively blocks UV and infrared rays in both clear and darkly tinted modes, helping keep the cabin cooler, and protecting passengers and interiors while also enhancing security inside the vehicle. These benefits become even more important when a car uses large surface areas of glass, especially in warm climates.
Some of the other benefits of SPD-SmartGlass include significant heat reduction inside the vehicle (by up to 18ºF/10ºC), UV protection, glare control, reduced noise and reduced fuel consumption. Independent calculations also show that use of SPD-SmartGlass can reduce CO2 emissions by four grams per kilometer, and increase the driving range of electric vehicles by approximately 5.5 percent.
Details are noted in the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. The Research Frontiers press release is also available on the Company’s website at www.SmartGlass.com and at various other places on the internet.
This report and the press releases referred to herein may include statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements as referenced in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements usually contain words such as “believe”, “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “expect”, or similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements are made by the Company in good faith, pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Act. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views and projections regarding economic conditions, industry environments and Company performance. Factors, which could significantly change results, include but are not limited to: sales performance, expense levels, competitive activity, interest rates, changes in the Company’s financial condition and several business factors. Additional information regarding these and other factors may be included in the Company’s quarterly 10-Q and 10K filings and other public documents, copies of which are available from the Company on request. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this report.
The information in this Form 8-K or the press release reproduced herein shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall they be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
| 99.1 | Research Frontiers Press Release dated October 22, 2018. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| RESEARCH FRONTIERS INCORPORATED | ||
| /s/ Seth L. Van Voorhees | ||
| By: | Seth L. Van Voorhees | |
| Title: | CFO and VP, Business Development | |
Dated: October 23, 2018