Glass Industry
ADCO Global Opens New Plant In China
PPG Expert Sees Era Of Growth, Innovation In Solar Glazings
Wayne Boor, manager, solar technology transfer, PPG Industries' (NYSE:PPG) performance glazings business, said industry forecasters expect solar glazings to account for 10 to 20 percent of flat glass sales, if not more, by 2015.Solar Energy Industry Growth Slower than Some Had Expected
In October, Flabeg Solar U.S. Corp., a subsidiary of German glass finishing firm Flabeg GmbH, opened a manufacturing facility in Findlay's Clinton Commerce Park that was expected to create up to 200 jobs building solar mirrors.
The company hoped to supply mirrors for up to 10 projects using sunlight to generate electricity in California, Arizona and Nevada.
But since then, the projects, all on public lands, "have been delayed due to the approval process," said president Jochen Meyer.
As a result, the plant now employs about 50 workers and is just preparing its first order.
"Overall, the market development has been disappointing for the U.S.," Mr. Meyer said.
While the national market for solar power stations has languished, solar power appears to be growing locally, however slowly.
"I think we're seeing a bit of maturation in the industry," said Richard Rothhaar, director of business development at Conservation Consultants Inc. on the South Side.
One business new to Pittsburgh is Standard Solar, a Rockville, Md.-based designer and installer of solar panel systems that took an office in Oxford Centre, Downtown, in May.
Local sales representative Michael Jones said Standard decided to come here because Pittsburgh is "a new market for solar in general."
"Solar really has far and away been more advanced in Eastern Pennsylvania than here," he said, because the price of electricity has been higher there, and because New Jersey took an "aggressive position" on solar.
"The value of their solar renewable energy credits is double [in New Jersey] what they are here," he said.
That spawned the development of solar businesses that eventually expanded into Eastern Pennsylvania to increase their market share.
Now Western Pennsylvania is seeing more engineering firms, electrical contractors and roofers who want to add the installation and maintenance of solar arrays to their skill sets, he said.
For Standard, which was founded in 2004, that spells opportunity to work with them to provide expertise and financing.
Edgetech I.G. ProActive About Health and Wellness
Edgetech’s ‘ProActive’ wellness program is celebrating seven years of
success, promoting healthier lifestyles for employees and their
families. Initiated by its parent company, Lauren International,
ProActive focuses on providing easy access to preventative screening,
exercise facilities and assistance with life challenges from financial
counseling to smoking cessation.
“Through ProActive, we strive to remove barriers so people have access
to healthy alternatives and by offering programs that can be tailored
for employees’ individual goals,” said Maurya Shaw, health and wellness
advocate, Lauren International. “This concept has been embraced by
Edgetech employees at all levels, helping us reduce healthcare costs and
create a healthier organization overall.”
Lauren International offers onsite fitness rooms at both its New
Philadelphia and Cambridge locations, providing employees access to a
fitness coach, physical therapist and nutritionist. Employees also have
the opportunity to meet with a chiropractor and massage therapist at a
reduced rate. Free health risk assessments are also available through
Edgetech’s in-house clinic, including cholesterol, triglycerides,
glucose, A1C, blood pressure and weight analysis. Additional programs,
such as Weight Watchers meetings and physical therapy, are available
through Lauren International. But, beyond traditional wellness programs,
Edgetech takes a ‘whole person’ approach by offering counseling and
other programs designed to help employees reduce the stresses of
everyday life.
“Wellness is more than just eating healthy, it’s about improving lives
and reducing stress on employees and families whenever possible,” Shaw
said. “With ProActive, Edgetech employees are more empowered to make
better choices about the way they live their lives, which translates to
better morale and a better overall work environment.”
Shaw looks to expand ProActive in the near future to emphasize regular screenings and personalized goal setting.
Source: GlassOnWeb
Emirates Glass Triples Production Capacity
With the installation of the multi-million dirham Terra-G
sputter-coating line, the yearly capacity of Emirates Glass has tripled
to more than 3.5 million square meters.
"The capacity expansion
will enable Emirates Glass to capitalize more effectively on demand for
energy-efficient architectural glass and emerge as a truly global player
in the glass industry," said Ziad Yazbeck, Senior Vice President, Sales
and Marketing, Glass LLC. "The move will allow us to diversify our
position geographically and expand our market to more countries in the
Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe."
The new coating line is
now operating as designed, producing cut-to-size and stock sheet
post-temperable, high-performance coated glass under the popular EmiCool
brand name.
"EmiCool is one of our largest selling brands, and
has been much in demand globally owing to its high performance and
superior energy efficiency," said Yazbeck. "Available in a variety of
models to suit diverse customer requirements, EmiCool is designed to
perform optimally in heating-dominated as well as cooling-dominated
climates, keeping the heat in, or out, as required."
Emirates
Glass is one of the leading processors of architectural flat glass in
the Middle East, exporting products to 18 countries around the world.
Based in the UAE, the company offers the widest variety of
high-performance solar control, low-emissivity coated glass products
available on the market today. Emirates Glass' high-performance coated
glass products provide building owners, architects and consultants a
wide range of thermal performance and aesthetic expression from which to
choose. In a recent survey, Emirates Glass was ranked among the 50 most
influential construction suppliers in the GCC region.
Source: GlassOnWeb
Guardian Ecoguard Solar Boost-lp Laminated Parabolic Mirrors Proven To Provide Superior Performance
New Coating Configuration Offers Superior Performance For Laminated Insulating Units
In 2005, Hurricane Wilma sparked an interest toward moving the laminated lite of an insulating glass unit to the outboard position. Now, Viracon, the country’s leading single-source architectural glass fabricator, is able to offer coatings on the number four surface of the laminated insulating unit, a significant performance enhancement over placing the coating on the second surface of the unit.Frameless Glass Rooflights
A brand new website has been launched to focus on the growing trend for all glass rooflights, frameless and skylights. With many homeowners now looking for alternatives to PVC and aluminium all glass frameless rooflights are the perfect answer. The roofs not only look neater and more slimline but they also let in more light because there are no chunky glazing bars or ridges to block the view.
Vision rooflights is making these amazing new products affordable by offering fixed flat roof lights and pitched frameless and pyramid rooflights at amazing prices. “Whats more is our rooflights are unbeatable in terms of energy saving performance, our flat rooflights have a U-value of 0.6 W/m2k which is the best that money can buy” said Rob Sweeney company director “all the products are constructed using the reflex+ glazing system which comes with a 20 year unit seal warranty, that’s twice the 10 years that other glass rooflights come with” he added.
Because the flat and frameless rooflights are not fabricated using aluminium sections the overall energy rating of the roof lights is improved. The weak link in many glass windows and doors is the frame and by doing away with this the amazing performance of the triple glazed glass unit can be reaslised throught the whole of the roof making the rooflight very insulated, meaning customers do not have to worry about the size of the hole in their flat roof and heat loss. With a triple glazed flat rooflight that features no aluminium frame the overall improvement in heat loss is around 80% when compared to old fashioned, overpriced aluminium rooflights.
The company can also offer the new rooflights in switchable Smart-Tint privacy glass for controlling glare and privacy at the flick of a switch. Instant prices can be viewed on the website with many glazing options including the switchable glass. Customers can place orders online and also view technical specs for products.
With flat roof renovation featuring glazed skylights for maximum natural light the new frameless glass roofs are proving to be very popular.
Source: GlassOnWeb
Seven Glassblock: Meeting With 5+1AA Alfonso Femia Gianluca Peluffo
Introducing EnerLogic All-Season LOW-E Technology: An Energy-Efficiency Breakthrough from Solutia
Solutia Inc., (NYSE: SOA), the world’s leading producer of professional window films for automotive, residential and commercial markets, is excited to announce a groundbreaking new film product. The EnerLogic™, all-season Energy Control Window Film Series is the latest addition to the LLumar® line-up of architectural window films. Featuring a patent-pending, low-e coating, EnerLogic™ window film adds up to 42%(1) more insulating power to existing commercial and residential windows – improving energy efficiency in every season. This technology is “always on”, 24/7, saving you money every day of the year.Developed as part of Solutia’s ongoing commitment to energy efficiency, EnerLogic™ window film has insulating performance superior to any window film available. In summer, heat from the sun is reflected away from windows, easing the stress on air-conditioning. In winter, radiant heat from heating systems is directed back into the room, reducing energy use and improving comfort.
“A building is only as energy efficient as its windows,” Rainer Bechtold , Solutia Performance Films Division Director of Marketing – EMEA , explains. “Traditional window films reflect heat out, providing substantial savings in summer, but adding relatively little value in winter. EnerLogic™ film helps keep the heat outside in summer and inside in winter, creating a perfect balance of energy efficiency, cost savings, and comfort.”
Outstanding Energy Efficiency – The patent-pending technology of EnerLogic™ window film will effectively upgrade the annual insulating performance of single pane glazing to close to double pane glazing and double pane glazing to close to triple pane glazing. The result is a significant increase in window efficiency at a fraction of window replacement cost.
Great Energy Savings – The use of EnerLogic™ window film could help to save over 10% on year-round energy costs!
Quick Payback – Windows typically account for 15% - 30% of a commercial building’s heating costs, and frequently more than 30% of cooling costs. EnerLogic™ window film is a low-cost, high-return technology that compares favorably to other popular energy-saving measures both in terms of energy efficiency and cost savings. In fact, EnerLogic™ outperforms most alternatives in terms of simple payback.
“At CPFilms we understand that the greenest energy is the energy that isn’t used,” said Ray Kollar, Solutia Performance Films Division President and General Manager. “This innovative new window film series offers excellent value by improving energy efficiency in every season, helping to reduce consumption and preserve natural resources. We are proud to be the first film company to introduce this revolutionary technology.”
Source: GlassOnWeb
UK Company Develops the Ultimate Fire Door
This is a new door system that architects and
designers have been waiting for, providing a new level of functionality
coupled with absolute fire safety. I attach an image, and can supply
others.
Wrightstyle is a UK company that supplies its systems worldwide. Recent
contact completions have included the Dubai Metro, a World Cup stadium
in Durban, and other projects in the USA, Hong Kong and Australia.
It’s the ultimate unlatched fire-resistant door system that architects and interior designers have wanted to specify for years.
The breakthrough fire door system from Wrightstyle now offers designers
internationally a range of entirely new and fully-glazed interior or
exterior door options that offer complete practicality coupled with
absolute fire safety.
The Wrightstyle unlatched doors, in single or double leaf format, are entirely free-swinging and available in a wide range of surface finishes including stainless steel and with full glazing options.
The double leaf door system is also available in either rebated or un-rebated options, meaning that there does not have to be an overlap between the doors, allowing each door to be opened separately and simultaneously in either direction – and therefore ideal for heavy traffic thoroughfares and busy corridors.
Adding further to their aesthetics and
practicality, options are available for the hinges and closer mechanisms
to be completely concealed within the framing system, offering a fully
flush-faced door.
Until now, interior fire doors in their closed position had to be
manually opened with a handle and latch, providing a less than optimal
solution in a busy working environment.
The Wrightstyle system entirely does away with the need for latches because, in normal use, whether in an office or busy educational or healthcare corridor, the doors allow free passage in both directions, either swinging back automatically into the closed position, or fitted with an automated swing door operator.
However, in a fire, the unique Wrightstyle door system will automatically and securely close, providing a barrier against fire and toxic gases, fire-tested and certified up to 120 minutes, with a range of fire resistance options for insulation and integrity.
The door systems are available in a range of sizes and in either stainless steel or steel options, and can be supplied in kit form or fully fabricated for a complete design to installation service – in offices, hospitals, educational facilities, airports, or anywhere there is traffic density.
Although designed primarily for interior use, the Wrightstyle door system can also be fitted with secure deadlocks, allowing them to be used as exterior doors.
This new concept in door fire safety significantly pushes the design envelope because, for the first time, it provides a technological solution for what has always been an interior design problem.
Source: GlassOnWeb
Italian Car Museum Utilizes Diamon-Fusion Nano-Coating In Large-Scale Glass Restoration Project
Diamon-Fusion International, Inc. (DFI Nanotechnology), global developer and exclusive licensor of patented hydrophobic nanotechnologies, announced today the exclusive application of its patented nano- coating product to a large-scale glass restoration project by one of the world’s most famous historical auto museums, the Nicolis Museum of Cars, Technology and Mechanics, a spectacular and ultra-modern container of culture and ideas in Villafranca near Verona, Italy. Through collaboration with DFI’s strategic partner, AKTARUS GROUP and GRUPPO INDUSTRIALE TOSONI (GIT), Diamon-Fusion® has been specified to be fashioned at this project as a valuable low-maintenance, clean tech feature to reduce on-going cleaning costs. DFI’s eco-friendly nano-coating also eliminates the need for harsh chemicals thus creating a greener environment. The oversized, curved and flat glass panels are treated and restored with the patented Diamon-Fusion® nano-coating, creating a water repellent effect which enables ease of cleaning and protection against scratches, abrasions, and environmental elements.Saint-Gobain Sekurit And Trakya Cam Expand Together In Russia
Saflex Collaborates With Oerlikon Solar To Develop New Reflective Solar Encapsulant
Saflex, a business unit of Solutia, is launching a breakthrough solar encapsulant that helps increase the efficiency of the solar module while reducing material usage. The new product, called Saflex(R) Radiant White PA27, represents a new class of value-added encapsulants and is based on collaboration between Oerlikon Solar and Saflex to rapidly drive thin film PV technology towards grid parity.Solar Panels For Georgia's Largest Commercial Solar Project
Kyocera Solar, Inc. announced it is the sole supplier of photovoltaic
modules for the largest commercial solar array in the state of Georgia.
USFloors recently installed the 144.48 kW solar array at its facilities
located in Dalton, GA. The rooftop installation, comprised of 672
Kyocera KD 215GX PLU solar modules, spans approximately 14,500 square
feet and is expected to produce 171,216 kwh/year—enough electricity to
power 14 homes annually. In addition, the system will offset more than
100 percent of the building's current electrical needs, allowing for a
reduction in operating costs that will preserve company jobs.
"This
solar project demonstrates Kyocera's commitment to sustainable energy,"
stated Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc. "Kyocera strives to
help organizations achieve their sustainability goals—we are pleased to
work with companies such as USFloors and United Renewable Energy LLC
who share Kyocera's commitment to the environment."
As a top
provider of sustainable flooring, USFloors' commitment is to provide its
customers with high quality, environmentally sound products—a practice
that motivated the company to produce solar electric power on site.
Various utility and government incentives such as accelerated
depreciation and state and federal tax credits, made the completion of
the project possible, and contributed to the site's LEED certification
process and ongoing sustainability mission.
Georgia-based United
Renewable energy designed and installed the solar array. According to
URE President William Silva, "We chose Kyocera's solar panels for two
simple reasons, quality and reliability. Their real world, global track
record and zero tolerance made Kyocera the clear choice."
Source: GlassOnWeb
AGC Sets Up Production Base In China For TFT-LCD Glass Substrates
SIGN Design Of Polymagic LED Glass-To Open A New Era For LED Glass Application
The amazing creative idea of designers is admirable. When
conceptual designs of Polymagic LED Glass guide sign and emergency road
sign become exquisite finished products, it marks the Polymagic LED
glass applications to enter a new area. The emergence of Polytron’s
Polymagic LED Glass sign fills the gap in the field of global high-end
signs market.
Bystronic Glass: Efficient Buffering, Storing And Sorting Of Photovoltaic Modules
Dual Laser and Blade Cutting System Enters Market
BUFFALO, N.Y., USA - Eastman Machine Company, manufacturer of cutting
machines, automated cutting systems, material handling equipment, and
software solutions announces the release of its latest generation laser
cutting system applicable to customers in the aerospace, automotive,
composite and industrial fabrics industries.
Several enhancements were developed for the 2010 release as compared to
laser cutting systems previously available from Eastman (circa 1995).
Eastman’s Buffalo-based engineering team has designed a dual
configuration laser system equipped with a three-tool cutting head. The
availability of a laser plus three tool spindles is the first system of
its kind to enter the market; this technology will minimize any
associated switchover time between material cutting requirements. Laser
cutting is beneficial for fabrics that require fused edges to prevent
fraying. The dual laser and blade cutting system will provide
unprecedented opportunities to Eastman customers, allowing them cutting
capabilities for a greater variety of materials and applications.
The tool head features a 200 watt gas assist laser (100 watt optional)
and three individually aligned and calibrated tool spindles that may be
equipped with any combination of rotary and straight knife blades,
notches or punches. The tool head is also equipped with a pneumatic
pen/marker holder for labeling pieces. Other new features include an
industrial size fume extractor to ensure purified air in the workplace;
an on-board chiller; touch screen operator control; linear rack and rail
drive system; and a diagnostic control cabinet.
The new dual system from Eastman will offer all cutting capabilities of
Eastman’s CNC static cutting table. The Eastman static table is a single
to low-ply cutting system that provides superior cutting performance
and increased throughput. This fully automated cutter plotter is capable
of marking, drilling and punching virtually any flexible material at
speeds of up to 60 inches per second (152.4 cm/s). Automated cutting
systems offer optimum material yields while reducing labor and operating
costs.
Source: GlassOnWeb
Revival in Real Estate Could Come as a Boon for Float Glass Industry
When
major sectors in the economy do well, it augurs well for several ancillary
industries that depend on them. A case in point is the Rs 5,500-crore Indian
glass industry, which has shown good growth in the past few quarters driven by
an uptick in demand from user-industries such as infrastructure, construction,
automobiles, food processing, beverages, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, among
others. The past four quarters have seen a steady growth in the fortunes of
glass companies —with some of them swinging to profit.
For the
industry, FY09 was not particularly favourable. During the first half, when
demand was relatively buoyant, companies faced soaring prices of key inputs. And
during the second half, when commodity prices stabilised, demand stagnated due
to the economic slowdown.
In FY2010, with economy coming back on
track and input costs remaining benign, the industry is again witnessing a
revival as reflected by the improving financials.
Robust growth in
automobiles, infrastructure, liquor & other beverages, boom in building and
construction have enabled the companies in the glass sector to post healthy
results over the past four trailing quarters.
Hindusthan National
Glass, the market leader in packaging glass, has reported 4% Y-o-Y increase in
its revenues and flat growth in profit. With its prime customers in food
processing, liquor and pharmaceutical industry registering growth in volumes,
the company is already seeing signs of recovery in demand. It’s expecting
to close the fiscal with a 75% increase in profit and more than 20% increase in
revenues. Asahi India Glass, a major supplier of float and sheet glass to the
auto industry, has posted a 8% growth in its consolidated net sales over the
past four trailing quarters and significantly reduced its loss to Rs 5.5 crore
against Rs 58.3 crore a year ago. With auto sales growing at a healthy pace, the
prospects for this company also are bright.
Piramal Glass, an
export-oriented specialty glass player, has started showing signs of recovery
and swung to reporting profits since the past two quarters. Catering to the
packaging needs of the fast-growing cosmetics and perfumery sector, the company
is steadily gaining market share in the overseas market on account of being a
low-cost manufacturer. With crude oil prices remaining stable over the past
couple of quarters, the industry has seen an expansion in the operating profit
margins.
With stability on the cost side and good outlook on the
demand side, the packaging glass segment has good prospects. The float glass
segment, with its primary use in the real estate industry, is seeing good demand
pick-up from the residential real estate segment. With commercial real estate
sector showing signs of revival, the prospects of float glass industry are
likely to improve over the next few quarters.
Source: TheEconomicTimes
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