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With regard to trade within North America, the economic situation continues to get worse, triggered by the US government's tariffs. It is currently impossible to predict how this will develop. A further escalation, which is not unlikely, would have an even stronger impact on machine manufacturers and suppliers to the glass and facade industry. Our expert Val Voznyi has 3 answers.

Founded in 1874, heroal has grown from a small craft business into an international manufacturer of aluminium system solutions for building envelopes. With a strong focus on innovation, in-house production and efficient services, heroal provides architects, planners and fabricators with integrated, high-quality solutions for modern construction.

Glass for Europe is stepping up its influence in the construction sector by becoming a full member of Construction Products Europe (CPE) in 2025. This move aims to highlight the role of sustainable building materials in key EU housing policies. As an active participant in CPE’s working groups, Glass for Europe will help shape strategies for a more competitive and sustainable construction industry.

With Compactwall TR, PV mounting specialists Aerocompact have recently expanded their range of mounting solutions for solar facades. This system specifically designed for sandwich panel walls allows for a better weight distribution.

The Willy Bogner chalet in the Austrian alps has been converted and extended by a living area with prime panoramic views of the mountains. Here is a short video for your enjoyment.

Lisec announces that the company has received the bronze medal from EcoVadis for outstanding sustainability performance. This award is a milestone on the road to greater sustainability and underlines Lisec’s commitment to the environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.

Here is a deep dive into solar panel technology and the latest industry trends from Satinal, an Italian company that produced interlayers for laminated safety glass. In 2020, they introduced the Strato Solar PV Encapsulants for PV modules. Here, Satinal offer a brief technical explanation of the technology behind such products and their latest offerings.

The safety and performance characteristics of building products have to be guaranteed. This also applies to window and facade elements. However, it is not always possible to put these usually large objects through their paces to meet the applicable standards. In Germany, there are only a few window and facade test stands in institutes that are authorised to carry out the tests in accordance with the regulations.

With its spectacular architecture, the luxury hotel ‘Koenigshof, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Munich’, designed by the Spanish architectural firm Nieto Sobejano, provides an exciting counterpoint to the historic buildings on Munich's Stachus. The architects chose highly selective functional glass from Saint-Gobain for the glazing of the five-star hotel.

The Wainscott Home is a unique project from the USA, which impresses with its meticulously executed architecture. A significant aspect of its allure is attributed to the strategically positioned minimal windows sliding systems, seamlessly integrated within the walls. In this video, Bates Masi + Architects explain the background.

Building-integrated PV modules are interesting alternatives to standard facade elements, and not just for new-build facades. Experience shows that such PV elements are only accepted by building owners and planners if they are visually appealing. The new ColorQuant glass colours were specifically developed to give PV elements a colourful design. Holger Geisler, Managing Director at Ceramic Colors Wolbring GmbH, has 3 answers.

The amended Construction Products Regulation (EU CPR), which came into force on 7 January 2025, will bring far-reaching changes to the European construction sector, which will also have an impact on fire protection. ‘Fire protection³’ is the motto for this year's ift Fire Safety Conference on 4 and 5 June in Nuremberg, Germany. Here is what to expect as well as some programme highlights.

The Wicona project study TEmotion NG with ‘Water-filled Glass’ is designed to ensure outstanding energy efficiency and an optimised carbon footprint. Together with Water-Filled Glass Ltd, Wicona has developed TEmotion NG, a revolutionary facade solution that was recently presented as a study.

Living conditions are changing - and require existing living space to be adapted to new needs. For example, sport and work have long been among the activities that people pursue in their homes. Balcony glazing takes account of this increasingly multifunctional use of living space, as it ensures that balconies are more conveniently connected to the living space and thus create additional usable space.

The Austrian manufacturer Sunbooster has developed bifacial solar strips that can be threaded into existing garden fences. Vertical solar allows harvesting power from the sun particularly when homes need it the most: in the mornings and evenings.

When it comes to building-integrated PV elements for the facade, the visual appearance is crucial for architects to use such systems. At the same time, in addition to the aesthetic requirements, functional and, increasingly, environmental aspects must also go hand in hand. Holger Geisler, CEO of Ceramic Colors Wolbring, the only company in the world that can provide an almost unlimited range of colours specifically for solar modules, explains the details.

Discover how minimalist architecture seamlessly connects living spaces with nature. In this video, architect Dirk Jan Postel explores his latest residential design in the Netherlands, where expansive minimal windows erase boundaries between indoors and outdoors. With a carefully curated material palette and a focus on spatial flow, the house blends effortlessly into its surroundings. Watch to see how architectural simplicity enhances both aesthetics and functionality, creating a breathtaking sense of space and tranquillity. A must-watch for experts and enthusiasts in windows and facade design!

Sustainability and security are a key feature of facade construction today. With this in mind, Wicona (Ulm) and Sommer Fassadensysteme - Stahlbau - Sicherheitstechnik (Döhlau) have agreed a strategic partnership. Here you can find out what the aim of the new co-operation is.

The German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt) recently granted general type approval (aBG) for Fineo vacuum insulating glass (VIG). Here are the details.

The European Commission has unveiled its Clean Industrial Deal, promising to accelerate decarbonisation and boost competitiveness in energy-intensive industries. But does it go far enough? Industry leaders warn that without urgent action on energy costs and carbon leakage, the flat glass sector faces an uncertain future.

The Turkish glass and chemicals group Şişecam can look back on a successful 2024. Despite global economic uncertainties, the company was able to increase its turnover and push ahead with strategic investments. Here are the latest company figures for 2024.

The Glass Performance Days (GPD) 2025 will take place from 10 to 12 June at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland. The world's largest glass conference brings together specialists and entrepreneurs from the glass industry to present and discuss the latest technologies, products and innovations.

Facade design with coloured solar modules: Holger Geisler of Ceramic Colors Wolbring explains how building-integrated PV elements can now be implemented in almost any colour. This is made possible by ColorQuant technology. A special advantage: maximum design freedom with minimum loss of solar module performance. Holger Geisler, CEO of Ceramic Colors Wolbring, the only company in the world that can provide an almost unlimited number of colours specifically for solar modules, gives 3 answers.

Lisec’s GSA system – GSA-CF for float glass and GSA-CL for laminated glass – automates glass crushing and cullet disposal, ensuring a seamless production process. Key benefits include enhanced safety, reduced labour costs, automated cullet management and optimised workspace efficiency. Here is a short video with more info.

EuroWindoor has submitted detailed feedback on the revised draft Annexes of the EU standardisation request for windows and doors. The industry organisation calls for streamlined processes, clear guidance and practical standards to support innovation and competitiveness in the European market.

The Nordic Facade Forum, a one-day seminar on the future of facade construction, will take place in Helsinki on 9 June 2025. At the event, international experts from the facade industry will show how facade construction is evolving and what role sustainability, design, new materials and safety aspects play in this. The organiser is Jorma Vitkala, GW and GW-News.eu are media partners.

AGC Glass Europe and Nokia have partnered for the middle East region to transform the way telecom service providers expand network coverage. Through this partnership, Nokia will integrate AGC’s WAVE by AGC glass antenna technology, delivering a seamless connectivity solution designed for modern urban environments.

The IFN Group is taking over the Lithuanian window manufacturer Roda, thereby securing its supply chain in Scandinavia. But this is just the beginning: Find out how the ‘window network’ has big plans for growth.

Renovation is key to reducing CO₂ emissions in the construction sector – this is the conclusion of a new study by DGNB. The analysis shows that new buildings generate significantly higher emissions over their lifecycle. Here are the key findings to the study, along with the free download link.

Glaston is looking for a new CEO, since Toni Laaksonen has very recently announced his intention to resign his position. Glaston is already hard at work finding a replacement.

Next Energy Technologies, a pioneer in organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology, has upgraded its production line to produce 1.0 by 1.5 metres (40 by 60 inches) laminated transparent windows employing the Next OPV coating and manufacturing process. These new units are the largest transparent OPV windows produced anywhere in the world. Find out more on this here.

Lisec is integrating cericom GmbH into its all-in-one solutions portfolio, further strengthening its technological expertise and market presence. Here the details.

Two German major players in the building envelope sector are joining forces: heroal and Solarlux are launching a strategic partnership that offers building owners and specialised companies real added value. The starting signal was given at BAU in Munich - with exciting prospects.

The Italian machinery manufacturer Forel has established its own subsidiary, Forel North Europe GmbH, to strengthen its market position in Germany and Northern Europe. Leading the new branch is Stéphane Soudais, a well-known industry expert who will represent Forel in this key region.

What began as a modest operation with just 400 employees focused on fulfilling Turkey’s essential glass needs has evolved into a global leader. Today, Şişecam operates 45 production facilities across four continents and employs over 24,000 staff worldwide. A short history.

Maltha Glass Recycling, a European company in glass recycling and a subsidiary of Renewi, recently announced the success of a groundbreaking pilot project in collaboration with Saint-Gobain. See here for more details.

Glass facades are an integral part of modern architecture, but often pose a danger to birds as they do not recognise reflective or transparent glass surfaces as an obstacle. To minimise this risk, the glass facade of the Futurium in Berlin was fitted with bird protection glass. Find out here which product was used.

The new Gealan-windowfit product range provides tested connection profiles with outstanding thermal insulation properties and maximum moisture protection. Window manufacturers benefit from a comprehensive range from Meesenburg that makes planning and processing extremely easy.

York Minster, one of the UK's most iconic landmarks, has embraced renewable energy by integrating a photovoltaic system into its historic building envelope. The project, led by the Chapter of York Minster in collaboration with Solarwatt and installation company Associated Clean Technologies (ACT), aims to address climate change while preserving the cathedral's heritage. See here for more details.

Family friendliness as a corporate value: Lisec was recently awarded the ‘berufundfamilie’ state quality mark in Vienna. The award, organised by Familie & Beruf Management GmbH, recognises companies that are actively committed to improving the work-life balance of family and career.

Coloured solar panels for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and solar facades took centre stage at BAU 2025, Europe's leading trade fair for construction in Munich, with exhibitors presenting a wide array of solutions.

Glaston introduces a new technology for producing ultra-thin triple insulating glass with a centre pane as thin as 0.5 mm. This patented process enhances energy efficiency, reduces weight, and simplifies renovation projects, setting a new benchmark in the glass industry.

At the ift stand at BAU 2025, an impressive demonstration of vandalism caused quite a stir. It showed how resistant windows can be in extreme scenarios - for example, when violent groups at major events such as demonstrations uncover potential that goes far beyond typical burglary norms. Watch the video of the vandalism simulation here!

Glaston and Miru, a leading developer of smart window technologies, are now partnering to accelerate the development and production capabilities of the next generation of dynamic electrochromic glass (‘eWindows’).

Here is a short video interview that Forel did with Steve Pypers of South African glass processor Glass Planet. In it he tells the story of how the company started and what a role Forel’s service and company ethos has played in its success.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the facade and glass industry, bringing safety improvements, cost-efficiency and streamlined operations within reach of companies of all sizes. From enhancing structural integrity through advanced modelling to automating routine processes, AI is becoming an integral part of administration and production in the facade and glass industry.

The “Matchbox” office tower in Eschborn features an innovative glass facade with a building-integrated photovoltaic system (BIPV) by Schüco. Designed for sustainability, the facade generates 180,000 kWh of electricity annually, reduces operating costs, and combines high energy efficiency with elegant design.

SageGlass launches RealTone, the most neutral electrochromic glass solution available. Developed recently, RealTone eliminates the "blue hue" commonly associated with electrochromic glass, delivering a neutral aesthetic while still performing as expected. Here are the details.

With Catadi, Oknoplast is launching a quality brand for investors who prioritise price and service. What clever solutions and benefits can specialist dealers expect from this new brand?

Isotherm - part of the Sanco Group - presented a special product innovation at BAU 2025: Insulating glass with transparent spacers. These glass spacers allow the glass edges to be discreetly receded. This was particularly appreciated by architects at the trade fair. Here are the details.

Spacer manufacturer Swisspacer is setting the bar high in terms of sustainability. With electricity from renewable energies and optimised production, the carbon footprint of a 16 mm spacer is now less than 0.15 kg CO₂ equivalents per running metre - a reduction of almost 30% compared to the previous value. Find the details here.

Software provider Cyncly has appointed Kristina Lengyel as Chief Customer Officer. In this position, she will lead Cyncly's entire customer organisation, which includes the areas of Customer Experience, Customer Success and Professional Services.

Panacol has developed a new UV adhesive specifically for film lamination of organic (OPV) and perovskite-based (PSC) photovoltaic systems: Vitralit UH 1411 is a very flexible, hybrid epoxy resin-acrylate adhesive that cures with UV light.

This year, a walk-on steel cross with glass windows is to be placed on the highest tower of the Sagrada Familia. This will make it the tallest church tower in the world, towering 10 metres above Ulm Minster. Facade builder Gartner is currently constructing the 17-metre-high structure made of glass, steel and high-performance concrete, whose four arms have a span of around 13 metres.

Peter Dixen, Managing Director of A+W Software and Portfolio Manager of the Comas Group, will be leaving at the end of March 2025. He will be succeeded by Dennis Tiegs and Hubert Woźniak, respectively.

Glas Trösch presented a new triple insulating glass with an ultra-thin centre pane at BAU in Munich. This makes the IGU lighter and less material-intensive. More details here:

The BAU 2025 had an incredible run for the last few days, and the atmosphere has been electric! Both visitors and exhibitors have been buzzing with excitement. Here are some snapshots from the trade fair.

As of January 1, 2025, Dr. Andreas Bachmann has taken on the position of Director Operations at Josef Gartner GmbH, strengthening the façade construction company’s leadership team alongside CEO Jürgen Wax. Together with the operational departments and project management, he will ensure the successful execution of complex projects worldwide.

Finstral is a family business from South Tyrol with over 50 years of history which can be said to be a pioneer in window construction. With around 1,650 employees and 14 sites –including ten in Italy and four in Germany – Finstral covers the entire value chain of window construction. The company has been using Lisec products since 1980 and has continuously expanded its Lisec machinery.

sedak wants to set a new benchmark for high-security glass: With sedak ballistic glass HMG (Heavy Machine Gun), the glass finisher is presenting a world first: a bullet-proof glass that has been tested against attacks with armour-piercing ammunition (.50 BMG API).

Val Voznyi is an expert in glass and fabrication technologies. In this exclusive interview with GW-News he looks back at his personal takeaways from last year’s two major trade fairs: GlassBuild in the US and glasstec in Germany.

The curved glass facade of the new Wera-Welle in Wuppertal is an eye-catcher. With individually manufactured, curved glass panes from Arnold Glas, the building demonstrates technical excellence. The Solarlux D40 insulating glass units installed combine optimum thermal insulation and sun shading with aesthetics. The project was realised by Arnold Glas and the Isolar network.

The Belval blast furnace road in Luxembourg is being transformed from a 120-hectare industrial wasteland into a modern urban neighbourhood. The two preserved blast furnaces and other industrial monuments have been integrated into the urban development. One of the buildings, the ‘Möllerei’, was fitted with new steel profile facades from Schüco Stahlsystem Jansen.

Effective as of 1 January 2025, AGC Interpane (a 100% affiliate of AGC Glass Europe) expands its activities through the acquisition of one of Europe´s largest manufacturers of safety glass, Sicherheitsglastechnik Oelsnitz GmbH (SGT), as well as the Verwaltungsgesellschaft Schuler & Weiß OHG and its subsidiary SG Transport GmbH in Germany.

In Basel, Roche is concentrating its pharmaceutical research in the pRED Innovation Centre. The two laboratory buildings, which are up to 114 metres high and are among the tallest in the world, were clad with a highly transparent Closed Cavity facade (CCF) by facade manufacturer Gartner. Large elements, in which concave reflective stainless steel sheets are integrated, enclose the corners.

A spectacular solar facade was planned and erected for a multi-storey car park in Schkeuditz near Leipzig, Germany. It wasn't just about the look. Many factors played a role, and the right people came together.

In April 2024, the Smart Campus, a technically state-of-the-art and intelligently networked vocational training and research centre for popular and high-performance sport, opened in Bordeaux in the south of France. The dynamic glass facade with SageGlass Classic ensures the best lighting conditions for athletes and researchers.

Awnings are perfect for effective sun shading for patios and balconies. However, in times of climate change and rising energy costs, innovative solutions that extend the benefits of traditional awnings are gaining in importance. One such forward-looking development is power-generating awnings (with integrated photovoltaic cells) from Belusol.

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of West Kingsdown, Kent in the UK a serene and charming village, a sophisticated home now boasts a custom-designed outdoor space. This seamless blend of style and utility has transformed the property, creating a year-round retreat for relaxation and social gatherings.

Saint-Gobain Glass has been named the winner of the “Sustainability initiative of the Year” category at the prestigious G24 awards. The G24 Awards, which take place annually in London, recognise outstanding achievements in the glass industry.

TGT Teupen will be presenting innovative lifting solutions at BAU 2025. Highlights include the emission-free Robby Ecoline series, the Robby 2000 with a 2000 kg lifting capacity – and much more.

Fraunhofer ISE and Fraunhofer UMSICHT have developed a prefabricated facade element with integrated photovoltaics that combines power generation, weather protection and thermal insulation. The elimination of an additional substructure for the solar modules saves large amounts of material.

The Mizral building at the entrance to Düsseldorf's Media Harbour, designed by Eller + Eller Architekten, sets standards in terms of functionality and safety. State-of-the-art fire protection technologies with glass are used here, making the building a model of safety.

The Glas Trösch Group from Switzerland is launching an innovative, thin Triple insulating glass in cooperation with the US materials expert Corning. The glass significantly reduces the carbon footprint and improves energy efficiency. The innovation, which is set to set new standards for sustainable construction, will be presented for the first time at BAU 2025. Here are the details.

With Infraselect Dynamic, the Germany-based Flachglas MarkenKreis completes its product range of adaptive glass. This will be presented to a wide audience at BAU 2025. What is behind the new product range and a new partnership?

Satinal announced the introduction of the third production line at its headquarters in Erba, Italy, to meet growing demand. This was driven by an increasing global demand for Strato Glass Interlayers and Strato Solar PV encapsulants, from the architectural premium market to the solar photovoltaic segment. Here are the details.

With Syn2tec, Lisec now offers an interesting solution for the efficient recycling of end-of-life (EOL) insulating glass panes. With the separation technology, high-quality glass panes can be recovered for reuse, and IG units can also be separated for recycling. Find out how here.

The Contraflam 90-1 fire-resistant glass from Vetrotech Saint-Gobain sets new standards in fire-resistant glass technology. With an innovative single-chamber foaming technology, the glass combines exceptional light transmission, low weight and sustainability.

At the British Blind & Shutter Show, the UK trade fair for sun shading solutions in Coventry, from 27 to 29 October 2024, the UK team from German manufacturer Weinor presented a selection of its high-quality sun and weather protection solutions to an interested trade audience. The 63 m² stand attracted a lot of attention from existing and new customers.

Louvre roofs are popular, but supposed bargains that can be bought in online shops harbour risks. The roller shutter and sun shading associations in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Aachen have tested such products - with surprising results.

Şişecam celebrates its 89th anniversary. Founded in Turkey in 1935 with 400 employees, the company has developed into a global corporation over the decades. With its innovative strength and advanced technologies, Şişecam is now one of the leading players in its market segments (glass and chemicals).

As of December 1, 2024, Angelique Longeray has assumed overall responsibility for Somfy’s two Business Areas: Central Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and France. In this role, she also serves as Managing Director of Somfy Germany. Angelique Longeray succeeds Francesco Franchini (52), who left the company at the end of November after more than 26 years to pursue a new professional opportunity.

Fineo by AGC is the first and only European manufacturer to receive the world's first voluntary CE marking for its vacuum insulation glass, making it much easier for planners, architects and building owners to use.

Swisspacer is planning to commission a new recycling plant in 2025 that will make it possible to fully recycle thermoplastic materials. According to the spacer manufacturer, the product quality will remain unaffected, even with a higher proportion of recycled materials.

When it comes to facades, aesthetics, function and sustainability must harmonise perfectly. At the same time, the appearance has to be right. Thanks to the ColorQuant technology from Ceramic Colors Wolbring, coloured solar modules can now be produced for facades that offer a high degree of design freedom and high performance. GW-News went to find out first-hand what this technology and the almost unlimited colour palette are all about.

In 2020, Architectural Glass Products of New Zealand selected two FC Series tempering lines for its greenfield plant in Cambridge, NZ, to increase production of insulating glass units for the country’s market for thermally efficient windows, doors and facades. What has happened since then?

The VetroMount glass balustrade system offers rapid installation, reliable safety and sleek aesthetics, making it very suitable for contemporary architectural projects. And the profiles now also allow the integration of photovoltaic glass. See here for all the options.

Installation partner Okna Nowak and the newly founded Winsta conclude a cooperation agreement with the aim of organising the installation of building elements in other non-German-speaking European countries - including local sales. This enables seamless access into international markets for German window and door manufacturers.

Edgetech Europe invites architects and designers to discover the highly versatile, metal-free, flexible Super Spacer spacer system at the BAU trade fair in Munich, Germany. From January 13 to 17 2025, here is what you can expect.

The Rock is a striking building on the banks of the Danube Canal in Vienna's 2nd District. The award-winning facade of the RED hotel consists of a large number of folded aluminium elements. The facade uses sunbelt solar control glass from arcon, which also reduces the facade's carbon footprint.

Founded more than 30 years ago near Porto in Portugal, Vitropor has since then outgrown its three locations and consolidated them into one new production site. In 2001, the company purchased a Glaston laminating line and a new ProE tempering line to replace its older HTF line. Find out here how the upgrade has helped.

The Danish window manufacturer Dovista has decided in favour of using ‘low-carbon glass’ from AGC Glass Europe in order to offer correspondingly more sustainable end products this year. Learn more why that matters here:

Using a laser printing process, Hegla boraident from Halle in Germany offers a solution for making window and facade glass visible to birds. At glasstec 2024, the company presented the BIRDfriend Mobile, a device that can be used to retrofit existing glass surfaces with protection against bird strike.

Hawa Sliding Solutions AG recently acquired the Barcelona-based Klein Group, one of the world's leading suppliers of sliding solutions. The acquisition expands Hawa's portfolio and strengthens its global market position. The management team at Klein will be retained, as will the brands and locations. Here are the details.

Miika Äppelqvist (38) has been Senior Vice President of Glaston's Architecture division since the end of 2023 and is one of the two Managing Directors of the German branch. GW-News asked him how he assesses the market and what Glaston presented at glasstec 2024. Miika Äppelqvist has been with Glaston since 2013, where he has held a number of management positions.

A collaboration between VideowindoW.io, LamiPress and Arnold Glas presented a 45m2 dynamic glass facade at glasstec that provides glare protection while utilising visual effects and interactive content. Millions of controllable pixels can be used to create natural movements and patterns to increase glare protection and comfort in the interior. Here are the details.

Danish architect Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) believes there is no single answer to what sustainable buildings of the future will look like. Two examples are the new concrete BIG headquarters in the port of Copenhagen and the timber Skypark Business Centre at Luxembourg Airport. What seems contradictory, actually shares a high standards of sustainability, resource conservation and energy efficiency, and both feature insulating glazing with Super Spacer spacers. Here are both projects in detail.

At glasstec 2024, Hegla presented a new sorting system for the first time, which enables the continuous provision of insulating glass units in the shipping sequence. The sorting solution also includes combined drying and sorting compartments for finished insulating glass units. Find out how the system works here.

Şişecam presented its ‘Plant of the Future’ platform at glasstec 2024. This was launched with a focus on digitalisation and sustainability. By bringing together almost 90 years of expertise from Şişecam with the skills of suppliers and technology providers, this initiative aims to promote collaboration and innovation in the industry. Here are the details.

For four days, Düsseldorf was the focus of the international glass industry. From 22 to 25 October 2024, 1257 exhibitors from 50 countries showcased their latest machines, systems and products for glass manufacturing and processing. The number of trade visitors totalled 32,000 from 121 countries.