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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 “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.

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.

The six-week course from DelftX offers prospective facade builders and facade planners, engineers and architects practical in-depth training in the design of mullion-and-transom facades. Here you will learn how to expand your facade expertise. The DelftX course - under the direction of Prof. Ulrich Knaack - starts on 6 November 2020. Click here for details and to register.

Eastman's PVB film ‘Saflex LiteCarbon Clear’ will in future be used as a safety film in AGC's sustainable ‘Low-Carbon Stratobel’ laminated safety glass. AGC Glass Europe has now announced this partnership with Eastman.

Swisspacer is advancing automation to help insulating glass manufacturers optimise production processes. CEO Matthias Bach, with the company for a year now, highlights energy efficiency as the primary driver in the insulating glass market, especially in Europe and North America.

Glaston, the initiators of the Glass Performance Days (GPD) conference, and Messe Düsseldorf, organizers of glasstec, announced that they will be collaborating to advance continuous knowledge sharing, networking and the latest glass industry solutions. Here are the details.

The winners of the prestigious CircuClarity Award for 2024 were announced at glasstec, celebrating innovators who are driving a more sustainable and circular future in the glass and facade industry. These are the winners:

As part of their exhibits at glasstec 2024 in Düsseldorf, Dow presented an expanded range of organic technologies designed to meet the performance, productivity and quality demands of the facade and window sectors.

With glasstec, the international trade fair about all things glass, facade and sun shading, is coming to a close today. Our visit was filled with many inspiring meetings and fascinating conversations. More details will follow over the coming weeks, but here are a few impressions from the last few days:

As of 19 October 2024 it is official: Vandaglas GmbH becomes Doering Glass GmbH. The company has been operating successfully under new management since August 2024 and is now part of the family-run CSSP Holding. With locations in Berlin and Radeburg, Germany, Doering Glass strengthens its market presence and builds on the decades-long tradition of the Döring Glas brand.

From 22 to 25 October, Düsseldorf will become the global centre of the glass industry when over 1250 exhibitors from 52 countries present their latest products and technologies at glasstec. The world's leading trade fair for the glass industry not only offers an overview of machines, software and innovative glass products, but is also an important forum for the exchange between experts, scientists and decision-makers.

In an exclusive video interview with GW-News, Paolo Alberto Sardano, General Manager of the Flat Glass Division & Bottero Glass Industry, provides exciting insights into the latest innovations that Bottero will be presenting at glasstec as well as the company's strategic direction. The CEO Talk is a new format for GW-News.

The NSG Group has announced that it will cease production on one of its two float glass lines in Gladbeck from January 2025. Here is what’s behind this decision.

Bird strikes on building facades, windows, glass noise barriers and glass balustrades are a problem; according to Germany's Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), around 100 million birds are killed in collisions every year in Germany alone. A range of bird protection glass solutions are already available on the market. In this exclusive interview, behavioural biologist Dominique Waddoup explains the state of research and how testing can be optimised and further developed.

The 9th Next Expert Forum, held at the Next Studio of Wicona & Partners, was an inspiring and forward-looking event. Under the title “Circular building in practice – the transformation of the construction and facade industry”, the future of the construction and facade industry was the focus of attention.

Forster Profilsysteme has opened its new headquarters, the Forster Campus, in Romanshorn, Switzerland, setting new standards in sustainable building. Spanning over 30,000 square metres, the campus includes a production and logistics hall, a technology centre, and an office building, all constructed with a strong focus on sustainability.

The systron LOOP system enables precise, automated processing of glass plates in changing shapes and sizes. The system was jointly developed by the mechanical engineering company systron and Thiele Glas. Here are the details.

The Olympia glass canopy in Kensington has been completed. Eckersley O’Callaghan engineered the steel and glass canopy that sits atop the public realm space within the Olympia redevelopment.

Glass for Europe has welcomed the decision of the European Council to include flat glass products as part of the extension of the scope of sanctions on Belarus to fight circumvention.

Glaston, the inventor of the Thermo Plastic Spacer (TPS), has developed a new processing method that allows the use of thin glass in insulating glass units. The process is also suitable for triple insulating glass.

Lifting and transport specialist Heavydrive is presenting its glass installation robot. The 7-axis manipulator has been further developed and now offers even more stability and precision. Here are the details.

The Swiss company Seen AG, in collaboration with the Bavarian Association for the Protection of Birds (LBV) and other nature and bird protection organisations, has developed an innovative product for retrofitting glass windows and facades to prevent bird collisions.

AGC Glass Europe and Rosi have announced a strategic partnership to promote a circular economy in the glass industry. This collaboration combines AGC's glass production expertise with Rosi's innovative recycling approach from the photovoltaic industry to establish sustainable and low-carbon production methods. Here are the details.

Planning for glasstec 2024 is well underway, with Director Lars Wismer sharing insights into the event’s key highlights, networking opportunities, emerging trends and innovations.

The Glass Performance Days (GPD) conference, a leading event focused on advancements and challenges in glass and glazing technologies, is now accepting abstracts for its 2025 edition. The conference will take place from 10th to 12th June 2025 at Nokia Arena, Tampere, Finland.

The Salesforce Tower in Chicago is an outstanding example of the combination of sustainability and modern glass architecture. The highly efficient Ködispace 4SG warm edge spacer from H.B. Fuller | Kömmerling is used in the IG units of the full-surface glass facade.

Machine manufacturer Forel SpA is a globally respected pioneer in the development of vertical systems for the production of insulating glass and LSG, as well as for glass processing. GW News editor Malte Forstat spoke to Sales Manager Carlo Zuccarello about the company's goals during a visit to the Forel production site in Roncade (near Treviso). Below, we take a look at the production halls together.

At glasstec 2024, Glaston will showcase ways to enhance glass processing efficiency without sacrificing quality. The company will highlight its ability to tailor solutions to individual business goals, helping manufacturers achieve higher productivity and operational excellence.

Eyrise has successfully implemented the Softsolution LineScanner, enhancing glass quality monitoring and operational efficiency at its liquid crystal glazing facility. Early results show promising improvements in productivity and reduced downtime. Read here for more details.

In the run-up to glasstec, vacuum glass manufacturer Fineo, a subsidiary of AGC, is announcing that new, larger formats of vacuum insulating glass will be available from 2025. Here you can find out which sizes will then be possible.

The new partnership between Saint-Gobain Glass and Kvadrat Shade aims to optimally coordinate glazing and shading - two essential elements of modern facades - in order to fully utilise their technical potential. Here are the details.

The recognition of CE marking for construction products in the UK has recently been extended. This is an important decision for the industry, which is facing many challenges in the area of conformity assessment.

Quanex (including Edgetech) secures a leading position in the European market with the acquisition of Tyman (including Giesse, Schlegel). What are the strategic advantages of the merger for the company?

Are you a glass decorator, printer or designer? The organisers of GlassPrint are offering free entrance to glasstec 2024. Just click here for more details.

Hueck has expanded its Trigon FS facade modular system with the new Trigon FS 050/060 FP30 fire protection facade, offering fire resistance for 30 minutes. This addition retains the flexibility, energy efficiency and sound insulation of the original Trigon system.

The requirements for energy efficiency and attractive working conditions are also becoming increasingly stringent in industrial buildings. This is why the Horsch company opted for a high level of natural lighting in its new production hall in Ronneburg, Germany, as provided by a skylight solution with very good thermal insulation values. Here are the details.

The small town of Carouge near Geneva in French-speaking Switzerland is home to a nationally renowned theatre, which has now been renovated and largely rebuilt. Here details of the glass and steel elements chosen:

The NSG Group has announced that its subsidiary, Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, plans to integrate green hydrogen into its operations at the Greengate Works site in St Helens by 2027.

When the glasstec trade fair opens its doors in Düsseldorf from 22 to 25 October 2024, over 1200 exhibitors will present an impressive range of innovations and technologies on 60,000 m². The special show ‘Handwerk Live’ will present the visions of the glass processing trade of tomorrow. Here‘s what you can expect:

The 3rd SIGAB Glass Event, which took place at the impressive Quai Zurich Campus, brought together leading experts from the Swiss and international glass industry, many of them from Germany, on 29 August 2024. Around 100 visitors came to find out about the latest developments and trends in glass construction. The facade of the venue, which was explained in detail, was also exciting.

Şişecam has released its 2023 Sustainability Report, detailing its ongoing efforts as part of the 2030 CareforNext sustainability strategy, which outlines the company’s focus on sustainable growth.

Semco has significantly boosted its production capabilities with a new facility in Westerstede. This expansion enables the company to meet the growing demand for insulating glass while introducing innovative, eco-friendly technologies.

In an innovative leap forward, Hegla introduces the IG2Pieces system, a cutting-edge solution designed to enhance the efficiency of insulating glass recycling. This system not only aligns with the growing demand for CO2 reduction but also offers substantial financial benefits to IG manufacturers by enabling the production of sorted glass shards for recycling.

The ski museum at Holmenkollen in Oslo is a testament to the rich history of skiing. In order to equip the historic building with a modern glass facade, a demanding glass installation was required, which was preceded by precise planning. Under extreme weather conditions and time pressure, a team from Heavydrive then carried out the installation of 40 large, heavy glass elements.

The facade of the Audi Centre in Essen shines in new splendour after the refurbishment. Thanks to the LEDscreen lighting elements from Kuzman Invison, the Audi site on the busy Altenessener Straße is now a shining eye-catcher at dusk.

At this year's glasstec in Düsseldorf, Lisec will be presenting solutions including unloading systems based on robotics. In this interview, Sebastian Payrleitner, Head of Product Management Logistics at Lisec, discusses developments in the field of logistics and reveals more about the robot solution that visitors to glasstec can expect to see.

According to the Fenzi Group, its polyurethane sealant Poliver AC has now also received CEKAL certification. The developers say that, this emphasises the high quality and performance of the sealant, which was specially developed for high-performance insulating glass applications.

Ventora and Lisec have found a suitable solution to overcome the challenge of overcoming space constraints and connecting disparate machines that is tailored to the local conditions at Ventora and forms the basis for achieving the company's strategic automation targets.

The newly launched Semco Kids Day took place on 9 August. A second Kids Day will follow in September. These action days are primarily intended to draw attention to children who need special encouragement or support due to their background as well as physical or mental impairments.

IFTS, part of Vetrotech Saint-Gobain, is a fire resistance laboratory that carries out tests in accordance with all current European and international test standards for building and marine applications. With the new 4 by 4 metre test furnace and a high-tech test environment, 90% of all tests and type tests can be carried out at IFTS.

Vitro Architectural Glass continues its long-standing partnership with the US National Aviary in Pittsburgh, supplying advanced glass solutions that enhance energy efficiency, aesthetics, and bird safety. This collaboration highlights Vitro's commitment to sustainability and education, as well as its deep roots in Western Pennsylvania.

A permanent exhibition in Rijeka, Croatia, on the history of the pharmacy include ten displays made with curved laminated glass. See here how three different Strato interlayers were put to good use in the installations.

The international Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has validated Glaston’s carbon dioxide emissions reduction targets for its operations and for its value chain. SBTi encourages companies to implement climate measures aligned with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

Deltamax has announced a significant new European partnership with Polflam, known for their innovative fire-resistant glass solutions. Recently, Deltamax successfully conducted a test day of their product QPLUS at Predari Vetri Spa in Mantova, Italy.

Germany-based Thiele Glas continues to set new benchmarks for glass quality and innovation. With a strong presence across Germany, Thiele Glas has earned a reputation for its architectural, safety, functional and design glass solutions. Find out here, how the new scanner from Viprotron will take them even further:

Come together at Telford International Centre on 16-17 October 2024 for the Glass Conference, the premier event for the glass and glazing industry in the UK. Network with professionals, attend keynote sessions and participate in technical drop-ins focused on industry trends and regulations.

New window technology enables solar power to be generated directly from insulating glass. A prototype has now been installed and tested by Walter Fenster in Kassel in Germany.

Situated on the banks of the river, the European Forum on the Rhine exemplifies the strength of cross-border cooperation and cultural exchange. Designed by the Grossmann Group, this multifunctional building serves as a vibrant hub for a variety of activities, promoting unity between France and Germany.

glasstec is the most relevant trade fair of the glass industry. Every two years, exhibitors, visitors, experts and media from around the world meet at glasstec. Here is what is waiting for exhibitors this year.

Laminated glass production with state-of-the-art automation and efficiency. That is what Austrian glass processing machine Lisec promise when it comes to their MaxLam S3360 Premium. Can it deliver?

On 28 and 29 October 2024, modern facade architecture will be on the agenda at the Kursaal in Bern. The speakers at Advanced Building Skins will also be taking a closer look at solar facades.

With the patented vacuum handling devices of the Grabo series, manufacturer Nemo Power Tools has developed a versatile electric tool for use on construction sites and in workshops.

The installation of the spherical-curved facade at the MOL Campus in Budapest called for special equipment. With their flexible glass mounting solutions, Heavydrive was able to provide exactly what was needed.

As a full-range supplier, Hova from Austria not only offers vacuum lifters and individual lifting devices, but also much more: aluminium rail systems and aluminium slewing cranes in smooth-running design are also part of the extensive portfolio. Here you can find out what the supplier will be showing at Fensterbau in Nuremberg starting tomorrow.

In 25 years of business, SentryGlas has transformed the laminated glass industry with its robust interlayer, providing safety and security. From automotive windshields to hurricane-resistant windows, find out here how SentryGlas has made a lasting impact on safety glazing.

For three decades, the Oknoplast Group has been a leader in producing top-quality aluminium and PVC windows, catering to a worldwide market. With automated production, a diverse product range, and a strong focus on sustainability, Oknoplast continues to set industry standards. Discover how this Krakow-based company maintains its global presence and commitment to excellence.

Eastman Saflex recently shared the news that the Saflex Structural PVB interlayer has been approved by two building authorities in Germany and another one in France.

Satinal has obtained the highest EcoVadis score to date, going from Silver to Platinum. EcoVadis is an international platform that assesses the environmental and social performance of companies.

The new "Aile Est" terminal at Genève Aéroport sets new standards in terms of sustainability. The building envelope is equipped with PV and highly efficient heat pumps contribute to environmental friendliness. All common areas and pathways were realised with profile systems from Forster. Identify the fire protection requirements that had to be met.

Saint-Gobain has finalized its acquisition of CSR Limited, enhancing its presence in the rapidly growing Australian construction market. The move aligns with Saint-Gobain's 'Grow & Impact' strategy and reinforces its commitment to sustainable construction. Following the acquisition, Julie Coates steps down as Managing Director, with Paul Dalton assuming the role of CEO.

For the new college building in downtown Berkeley, California, an architect's wish became reality: the fully automated and therefore economical production of a completely grey insulating glass edge seal. A light grey Super Spacer bar is also part of the elegant facade solution.

Improving efficiency, saving resources and creating added value – at glasstec 2024, the Hegla Group is focusing on solutions that are designed to unlock the full potential of existing products.

When insulating glass manufacturers export their glass to the US, tests in accordance with ASTM 2190 (or ASTM 2188/ASTM 2189) are required in advance. For this purpose, IGU manufacturers had to send their glass to the US for testing. Now ift Rosenheim can also carry out these tests, which saves a lot of time.

Insulating glass is useful in a variety of applications. Which is the best type of IG unit comes down to what function the window or facade it is used in is intended to achieve. The following is a rundown of the major types:

Şişecam recently announced the resignation of Ahmet Kırman from his positions as Chairman and Executive Member of the Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2024.

With the winning proposal, Henning Larsen's goes beyond what one would expect a laboratory building to look like. B777 is immersed in nature, with biogenic materials and features a low-carbon design.

This is a strong signal in the midst of the weak construction industry: AGC Interpane is investing across the Group in automation and new plant technology as well as in digitalisation and sustainable power generation. The focus is on seven locations in Germany, Austria, Slovakia and France. Here are the details.

Fenzi Group has announced its acquisition of Thermoseal, a company in the insulated glass industry. This strategic move, highlighted by Thermoseal's innovative Thermoflex flexible spacer product, is a part of the Fenzi Group's global growth strategy.

With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games not too far away, here is what athletes and spectators will experience in terms of what modern sustainable architecture made of wood. See here here for details:

Immmes’ DTP + Dual Flow purification system, featuring a fully automatic filter press, delivers the highest water quality for glass processing, enhancing production efficiency and sustainability.

The SuperHub Meerstad on the outskirts of Groningen (NL) impresses with its transparent architecture - a construction of cross-shaped cross-laminated timber supports and a steel facade that make it look like a modern cathedral. Here are the details. 

The US construction industry is set for significant growth in 2024, driven by sustainability and government subsidies. Swisspacer's new NJ distribution center positions European manufacturers for success in this evolving market.

The more important sustainability and CO2 savings become for building owners, the greater the interest in wooden buildings. The glass railing system GM Railing by Glas Marte is the perfect match.

The Kalifornia Malakoff project in France features low-CO2 Saint-Gobain Orae glass, reducing CO2 emissions by 40%, achieving zero carbon footprint with compensation efforts.

Glass as a light conducting medium. This vision has now been jointly realised by the experts from Semco, Isophon and Croso. The result is two special products: Semco-Lux is available as luminous fall protection and as a luminous French balcony.

How can balconies be used to generate energy? Balco Balkonkonstruktionen GmbH provides a smart solution to this question. The company offers systems in which photovoltaic modules for power generation are integrated into the parapet - a climate-friendly solution that is particularly in demand in the field of multi-storey residential construction.

Most buildings have great potential for optimisation: They often require extensive energy-efficient refurbishment. Part of such measures is the renovation of balconies and loggias with glass. Here you can find out what such balcony glazing can achieve.

In line with our focus topic of this week – BIPV – here are some impressions from the past three days at The smarter E Europe 2024 in Munich, Germany. Solar facades and the integration of PV into the building envelope are a growing market segment. And this year‘s trade fair reflected that. Here are some first impressions:

Together with project partners, the Fraunhofer ISE are developing a system that is intended to simplify the use of facades for photovoltaics. Part of the solution will also be published as a VDI guideline.