Come and meet the Glass International team on stand E2 055 where complimentary copies of the magazine will be available.

Glass International is media partner to the Glassman events, which take place worldwide. Information will be available about the forthcoming Glassman America and Glassman South America shows.

Plus, win a free year’s subscription to the magazine by dropping your business card in the competition box.

China Glass 2013 takes place at the New China International Exhibition Centre, Yu Xiang Road, Beijing between May 24 and 27^th.

The British Glass Focus conference takes place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport, UK on May 23^rd where speakers include Ardagh, O-I and Allied Glass.

It invites people to visit its stand 504 in hall E1. There will be a StekloSouz President on the stand to discuss technical and commercial questions related to the Russian glass industry.

China Glass takes place at the New China International Exhibition Centre, Beijing between May 24th – 27th.

IRM Ltd has been involved in selling container decorating machinery for some years and will represent Kammann in the UK.

The case was first filed in 2000. This current plan was approved by the court but motions to reconsider the plan will be accepted until May 21. A hearing is set for May 23, PPG said in a statement. The final confirmation order is subject to the appeals process.

The reorganisation plan includes PPG’s asbestos settlement and all current and future claims regarding asbestos exposure at Pittsburgh Corning will be channeled through a trust for resolution, PPG said.

If the final confirmation order is upheld, PPG and its insurers must make an initial payment to the trust within 30 business days of the plan’s effective date.

It is as part of an investment programme to meet more demand for testing and consultancy throughout the supply chain.

Garry Smith has joined GTS from the NSG Group. He was  Technical Advisory Service Manager there for nearly ten years and provided advice on the specification and use of glass.

He was also responsible for troubleshooting projects and providing support on technical issues for designers, architects, specifiers and end-customers.

Garry will provide advice on the mechanical strength, safety and security of glass, failure analysis and environmental issues.

His knowledge also covers specific properties of glass in use including fire safety, acoustics, solar and thermal management.

He has regularly provided advice and support to both individual companies and professional associations. The associations include the Flat Glass Manufacturers Association (FGMA), the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT) and Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB).

Conference organiser the Society of Glass Technology also said its Refractory Training day had also sold out too. The training day takes place at the same venue on Wednesday June 5.
It is the first time the event has sold out with three weeks still to go.

Furnace Solutions conferences deal entirely with ‘practical’ glassmaking issues and are targeted at glassmakers, furnace equipment and specialist materials suppliers.

The conference’s informal format allows delegates to share their experiences, and discuss solutions to some of today’s glass melting challenges.

The meeting attracts up to 100 delegates - from the UK, mainland Europe, Turkey, the Middle East, Israel, Japan, Mexico and the USA - representing many of the world’s major glassmakers and equipment suppliers.

The conference website is www.furnacesolutions.co.uk

With this expanded technical basis, manufacturers of PV systems can receive better support in increasing production efficiency and bottom lines by reducing overall costs.

There is nothing new about the circular economy: the glass industry is already a successful example.

But if used more widely, the circular economy holds great potential to improve Europe's competitiveness.

FEVE is hosting this open-day meeting to explore with a broad range of stakeholders how far the circular economy has been deployed.

Against the background of increasing scarcity and cost of raw materials, it wants to examine how a shift towards greater resource efficiency could play to the advantage of Europe’s industries.

And what are the relative merits of closed loop and open loop approaches to recycling and turning waste into a resource?

It will be debating these questions with its speakers and seeking the views of the audience in a discussion moderated by Peter O’Donnell, Associate Editor at European Voice.

The open day takes place on June 18. More information http://www.feve.org

As a result, the glass division will see an ‘improved result’ this financial year, but with the full benefits of the restructuring, and associated job losses, not to be seen until fiscal 2015.

CSR posted a net loss of $146.9 million for the year to March, reversing the profit of $76.3 million earned a year earlier.

CSR said it expected a slight improvement in the housing market this financial year, following a difficult year, particularly in the key Victorian market which slumped 13% after three years of growth, it said.

This was in contrast to the 1% rise in NSW and the 10% bounce in Queensland, although off a low base.

The Viridian glass division posted a pretax loss of $38.8 million, double the year earlier loss.

The consolidation of Victorian glass operations at Dandenong has seen 37 jobs cut, while in NSW a similar move will see 170 jobs lost.

The association said it wished to honour Mr Vitkala, who is chairman of the GPD organising committee, for more than two decades of dedicated and professional effort, as well as personal commitment.

It said Mr Vitkala’s activities had promoted cooperation and information exchange within the glass industry in Finland and internationally. He had also helped establish Finland as a conference location.

When touring the world as a service and training engineer for Tamglass in the early 1980s, Jorma noticed that the same early-phase mistakes were being made everywhere.

The idea of glass-specific process training for the company's customers was conceived and GPD was born.

"Without a doubt, Jorma is the most international and best-known Finnish glass expert and his networks are peerless", said Tahvo Sutela, founding member of the Flat Glass Association's board and the GPD organisation committee.

GPD is held every two years in Tampere, Finland. The next event takes place June 13-15. Visit www.gpd.fi for more information.

Ducatt NV is a specialist in ultra-thin, extra strong and patterned glass for solar applications, whereas Centrosolar Glas, based in Germany, focuses on anti-reflective coated solar glass offering maximum light transmission. Together, the two companies form the worldwide technology leader in the solar glass industry.

"With the acquisition of Centrosolar Glas GmbH & Co.KG, Ducatt achieves its goal to produce the ultimate solar glass with a transparency up to 95% and a thickness down to 2 mm", Roel Bollen, CEO of Ducatt, says. "This merger enables us to serve the worldwide solar industry with a full range of thin to ultra-thin, tempered, ultra-clear glass, coated or not with the unique Centrosol HiT anti-reflective coating."

Revenue achieved for the year was at Rs. 5.5 billion against Rs.5.2 billion in the previous year. The main contributor towards the revenue growth was the export market with a year on year growth of 12%.

CEO Piramal Glass, Sanjay Tiwari said that their profitability was sustained mainly due to their export product portfolio. The market reach established in the Australian and New Zealand markets last year also paid dividends during the year under review.

The company has also launched several new products in different shapes and colours in the domestic and international markets.

Mr Tiwari said the electricity price hike will have a substantial impact on the company’s energy bill.

Visitors were truly global and include guests from host-country Poland, South Africa, USA and Guatemala. Companies represented included Owens-Illinois, Vitro, Ardagh and Warta Glass.

It was standing room only for Stoelzle Glass’ CEO Johannes Schick’s keynote presentation to open the Glassman Europe conference. He discussed Building a Glass Plant in Poland and the challenges faced in building a flagship production site there.

Further presentations included papers from Adeline Farrelly, Secretary General of the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE), Glass Global’s Hans Mahrenholtz and British Glass Environmental Director John Stockdale.

A full review of the event will appear in the June issue of Glass International magazine and the conference presentations will be made available on the Glassman Europe website in the next few weeks.

Thomsen, who oversees the worldwide operations of Guardian’s flat glass manufacturing, marketing, distribution and product development, will discuss the challenges facing the glass industry and propose solutions for reconstructionist strategic thinking to create new demand for glass.

Glass Performance Days occurs biannually in Finland. The 2013 event, with a theme of Glass Technology, Design and Sustainability, will focus on glass architecture and the environmental impact of buildings.

“One of the benefits of ongoing and rapid technological advances in glass is that companies have the opportunity to reinvent themselves,” Thomsen said.

“Large or small, businesses in the glass industry are constantly bumping into, then breaking down, preconceptions of working with glass, from manufacturers to architects to the glaziers installing the final product.

"Being mindful of what the past has given us helps us embrace new technology as both savvy businesspeople and far-reaching, creative engineers."

For more information on the conference, or to register, visit the GPD Finland website.

Royal Glass was established in 1971 and has a vehicle glass repair and replacement brand in the Washington, DC area, operating six retail sites in Alexandria, Capitol Heights, Prince Fredrick, Rockville, Waldorf, and Woodlawn. It employs 45 people.

The acquisition is the continuation of Safelite’s plan to grow in the USA. The deal does not include Royal’s tyre-related business in Capitol Heights.

The revised website features a new design, simplified navigation and enhanced mobile device compatibility, while the modified structure allows users to choose the service (Testing & Analysis; Materials Development; Resource Efficiency; Assurance) or industry (Ceramics; Construction; Healthcare) they need.

The remodelled website also provides greater visitor interaction – user friendly viewing through smartphones and tablets, access to short videos about Ceram’s services and a wealth of resources, including industry newsletters, white papers, guidance documents, reports and case studies. 

Visit the website at www.ceram.com

The 50-50 joint venture was created in 2007 to manufacture glass fibre reinforcement fabrics for use in turbine blades for wind energy.

PPG will continue to manufacture glass fibre material for the wind energy industry, and Hexagon Devold will continue to manufacture multiaxial and unidirectional reinforcement fabrics at PPG’s Shelby, NC, glass fibre facility.

PPG Fiber Glass is a global manufacturer of reinforcement materials for thermoset and thermoplastic composite applications with manufacturing and research facilities in the USA, Europe and Asia.

It serves the transportation, energy, infrastructure and consumer markets, as well as electronic circuit board and specialty yarn markets.

Grace Foods UK has decided to move its Caribbean Choice Hot Pepper Sauce and Sweet Chilli Sauce from a squeezy plastic bottle into a 250ml white flint glass bottle.

Beatson Clark has worked with Grace Foods UK for 15 years and was asked to design a new bottle for the product, which is due to be relaunched next month in the independent and wholesale trade.

Lynn Sidebottom, Sales and Marketing Director at Beatson Clark, said: “Retailing at 99p per bottle, Caribbean Choice is a popular value brand, but the plastic squeezy bottle meant it was out of step with most of the other chilli sauces on the market.

“This new glass bottle is a cost-effective packaging solution which will greatly enhance the quality feel of the product.”

The new container is a white flint 250ml square sauce bottle bespoke to Grace Foods UK with an MCA3 neck finish. The bottle is designed to fit with other containers within the client’s range and thereby optimise line efficiency.

Mr Somany, described as a pioneer of the Indian Glass Industry, earned the award for his contribution to the glass industry in the field of glass manufacturing.

Mr Somany is currently Non-Executive Chairman on the Hindustan National Glass (HNG) board.

He was inducted on to the Board in 1970 and laid the foundation of Hindustan National Glass and Industries Ltd in 1952.

The Phoenix Award committee said it was through Mr Somany’s vision and constant thrust towards innovation and adoption of the latest technologies that resulted in the HNG Group emerging as a market leader in the Indian glass packaging Industry.

The HNG Group now operates seven fully automated container glass plants in India and one in Germany and produces more than 4800 tonnes per day of glass.

It also has one 600 tonnes per day float glass unit.

Mr Somany has also dedicated time to many other organisations including The All India Glass Manufactures' Federation as President, The Bengal Glass Manufacturers' Association, The Merchants Chamber of Commerce, and is Chairman of The Society of Glass Technology (Indian Section).

He is also the Chairman of Chemicals & Allied Products Export promotion Council (CAPEXIL) and is also associated with various charitable and philanthropic organisations.

Visit the team on stand A02, or find us in the conference.

For more information about the exhibition and conference visit: http://www.glassmanevents.com/europe/

Registration is FREE!

Klareco processes more than 100,000 tonnes of glass in Quebec each year and sends most of it to the USA, where it is used to make insulation.

“We've been losing money for the last couple of years,” said Klareco Vice President Johnny Izzi. He said it would have been difficult to invest between $10 and $12 million to build a new plant.

Environmental activist Karel Ménard says Klareco's closure will create a problem. He's calling on the province's liquor board, the SAQ, to implement a deposit system.

Mr Ménard said the SAQ sells about 200 million bottles a year and most of the glass in people's recycling bins comes from wine and spirit bottles: “Approximately 80% of the glass comes from the SAQ, so the SAQ should be responsible for the glass that is in the bins,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Izzi said he hopes the government will take the opportunity to step in and come up with a solution.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2013/04/30/quebec-glass-recycling-plant-shut-down.html

Having recently started-up its new Rojana plant, with one furnace and 3 IS12 T.G. 4 ¼ machines, equipped with E-MOC, in a recent negotiation for the upgrade of two machines in the Samutprakarn plant from D.G. 4 ¼ " to T.G. 4 ¼ ", Siam Glass has decided the supply will once again come from Bottero and that the section boxes will be equipped with blank and blow side E-MOC.

Bottero E-MOC has been confirmed as the ideal solution to meet the company’s production needs, especially for the production of 145 gr. M-150 Energy Drink.

According to the glass products producer Ardagh, the new jar has been designed with adults in mind and crafted to complement more consumers' mealtimes.

The development team of Ardagh in Poland collaborated with FLEX/the INNOVATIONLAB in Netherlands who provided them with a prototype model, from which the team was able to make calculations for producing the moulds used in the glass manufacturing process.

Special design features were used by Ardagh in order to prevent undercuts and stronger AGN cast iron was used to produce the blow molds.

Ardagh also developed a new approach for handling the moulds, which has enabled them to extend the mould life by doing away with manual handling. It created detailed full body debossing, which gives the jar its Heinz identity.

A shrink sleeve has been produced for the jar, which compliments the overall effectiveness of the package.

The group had bought 43.6% of the share of Orient in early March.

The additional 25% means RHi now holds 69.6% of the voting rights of ORI. RHI spent €50 million on the 69.6% stake.

The amount is a 65% rise on the amount it invested in 2012, said CEO Adrian Sada Gonzalez.

The money will also be used to improve equipment and facilities to strengthen its market position, he added.

He said 89% of the budget will go to operations in Mexico, mainly to increase the manufacturing capacity of some of the furnaces and to improve and update its plants.

This centrally located office will provide expanded services for Agr products over the Asian region.

Over the last few years, Southern Asia has been one of the fastest growing packaging markets. This has been evident with significant growth in Agr’s customer base within this area. To better support this growing customer base, the company made the decision to establish a local sales and service operation, which is central to this market and could respond to customer needs.

Agr’s commitment to this region is evident in the appointment of Mr Martin Küstner, a 14-year veteran of the Agr organisation, to head Agr Bangkok, Ltd. In his previous position, Mr Küstner was Regional Director of Agr’s Central and Northern European sales and service territory, headquartered in Munich, Germany. 

Along with Mr Küstner, Agr Bangkok Ltd. will sport an experienced technical sales team as well as several Agr factory trained service technicians. The company’s previously established Chinese sales and service team will also work under the supervision of the new Bangkok office.

The inquiry follows a complaint from trade body EU ProSun Glass, which says Chinese glass sold in the EU at below-cost prices is damaging the bloc's solar glass industry.

The market, valued €200 million is tiny compared with overall EU imports from China which totalled €293 billion in 2011, according to Commission figures, making it China's main trading partner.

Full story http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/04/27/uk-eu-china-trade-idUKBRE93Q06R20130427.

CEO Stephanie Streeter said there had been a sales decline in the USA and Canada but Mexico and Latin America had reported a sales increase.

“The critical story, however, is our success in cost reductions, which resulted in record adjusted income from operations and adjusted EBITDA for any first quarter ever. 

“This performance is even more notable, given that we had an extensive amount of maintenance activity which led to underutilized capacity during the quarter,” she added

Sales in the Americas were $123.5 million, compared to $129.7 million in Q1 2012, a decrease of 4.7%.

Sales performance was led by a 4.5% increase in sales within the Mexican and Latin American end market, offset by an 8.6% decrease within the US and Canada end market.

Sales in the EMEA segment increased 11.2% while sales in other were $25.7 million, compared to $27.4 million in the prior-year quarter. The decrease was largely the result of lower sales in the Asia Pacific end market.

It’s been 10 years since Guardian lit the UK float glass furnace and after investing over £100 million in the plant; the company continued to develop its commitment to the UK market when 5 years later it invested a further 6 million in the laminating glass line. Then, just last year it invested another £35 million in a magnetron glass coater.

To celebrate these three land mark events, the company will invite the glass and glazing industry to join in its Triple Anniversary Celebration. Scott Thomsen, President of Guardian’s Global Flat Glass Division will be leading the event with a keynote speech.

Mark Bristow Regional Manager for Guardian Glass UK & Ireland stated: “The road to our 10 year anniversary has been, at times, a bumpy one! We have successfully navigated a double dip recession and managed to achieve growth at a time when many well-established companies have fallen short. We greatly attribute this success to our “best in service” approach and our commitment to the independent glass & glazing industry. The independent businesses have shown the same strength and ability to adapt that we have. This mutual support and success is certainly something to be celebrated and we hope that you can all join us in our Triple Anniversary Celebration.”

It intends to construct a biogas plant on the factory site that will generate biogas for the glass melting process.

For technical production reasons, considerable volumes of fossil fuels (natural gas, heating oil) are required for the manufacture of glass containers.

Saint-Gobain Oberland will increase its use of renewable-based energies to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and lower CO2 emissions so that its manufacturing processes remain sustainable.

The biogas generated on-site is intended to fuel its tank furnaces directly. The treatment and conversion stages are not necessary.

It has formed a project team composed of scientists involved in biogas research, together with operators of existing plants and plant engineers for the design and planning of the biogas plant.

It plans to construct a biogas plant to which the pre-treated substrate – out of waste material that is constantly being generated – only needs to be delivered.

A depression hall, where substrate deliveries as well as the storage of digestates for pick up is located, guarantees an odourless process for the environment.

Saint-Gobain Oberland CEO Stefan Jaenecke said: “Even though there do not exist subsidies for this kind of facility, we decided deliberately for the best technical and the most energy-efficient solution.

"We see in this a huge chance for us to lead the glass industry. Certainly the opinions of our neighbours of the plant are important for us.

“For this purpose we implemented an email-address for questions, suggestions and representations.”

Each one has now been carefully inscribed onto parchment then fused into glass bottles so as to preserve it intact for generations to come: Bottled Wishes.

Now they have been brought together to create a beautiful, unique art installation, which goes on exhibition in central London from 25th April until 24th May 2013. The bottles will then be auctioned and the proceeds used to build a well in India by the clean water charity drop4drop.org.

Now it’s your turn! Share your own Wish for the Future and take part in the Bottled Wishes competition. Your wish will be displayed live at the exhibition launch and appear in virtual bottles on our website.

Enter the competition here: http://bottled-wishes.co.uk/competition/

Its operating profit dropped to $226 million, down from $260 million in the prior year.

It said higher operating profits in South America and Asia Pacific were more than offset by lower results in Europe. It said European operating profit was impacted by lower demand and its efforts to normalise production levels over the course of 2013.

Chief Executive Al Stroucken said for the current quarter, the company expects continued volume growth in its emerging regions and stable market conditions in North America.

On Europe he said: “Our initiative to mitigate production volatility over the course of the year was a planned headwind in the first quarter, but will benefit us in the second half of the year.”

Net sales in Q1 2013 were $1.64 billion, down from $1.74 billion in the prior year first quarter. Volume, in terms of tonnes shipped, decreased by 5% y-o-y.

It said the decline in volume was most pronounced in Europe, due to difficult macroeconomic conditions and the absence of major sporting events that occurred in the prior year.

South America reported volume growth, driven by food packaging. Sales prices globally were up 2%, with successful price initiatives reported in all regions.

The company, backed by private equity group Equistone Partners, saw turnover rise to £102 million for the financial year ending December 2012, continuing the growth seen in previous years.

Allied Glass supplies many of the world’s leading brands, including Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker-owner Diageo, William Grant & Sons and Whyte & Mackay.

The sales rise has been fuelled by demand for premium spirits in emerging markets such as China, India, Russia and South America.

Allied Glass has just completed a furnace rebuild to increase capacity, reduce operational costs and improve overall environmental performance at its Knottingley site.

To capitalise on business in overseas markets, Allied Glass has also appointed a French-speaking business development manager and a multi-lingual sales officer.

It said the need for an additional coating supply is a direct result of the growing market for solar energy.

KhepriCoat anti-reflective glass coating is an IP protected product, developed by the DSM Innovation Center.

The coating is primarily targeted at solar applications. The coating – a thin nano porous layer with a thickness of approximately 100 – 150nm – is applied on the cover glass of solar modules and reduces the reflection of sunlight.

The result is an increase in the energy output of these modules by up to 4%.

The guide, published ahead of the 1 July 2013 implementation deadline, explains what the main changes will be and steers the value chain to glass-specific answers tailored to address its needs.

The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) replaces the Construction Products Directive.

The new regulation sets out the rules governing when and under which conditions CE marking must accompany construction products placed on the EU market.

Therefore, it applies to most glass products for use in buildings and their derived products, making it essential for stakeholders to understand what the new rules and procedures mean for their businesses.

“We realise that picking out what industry wants to know and needs to apply from a very general piece of EU legislation is not necessarily easy," said Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass for Europe.

“The guide aims to bridge the gap from legislation to real industrial practice because we feel that it is part of Glass for Europe’s mission to give meaningful support to the glass industry."

Converting the waste glass into foam glass is an economically-minded process that produces material streams that had until recently no significant field of application, Dr Arjen Steiner, CEO of Schaumglas Global Consulting (SGGC) told delegates.

Dr Steiner told the plenary session at the Eindhoven, the Netherlands event that waste glass with impurities, such as CSP >5%,  which cannot be used in the container or glass fibre industry can be used to produce foam glass gravel.

The glass must be transferred to a powder with 90% <100 micron and a d₅₀+40 micron. The powder is then mixed with solid or liquid foaming agents, depending on the process and the final application, and heat-treated in a tunnel kiln with a defined profile.

The ribbon of produced foam breaks into pieces by thermal shock after the kiln. The final product can be stored outside without any specific protection.

The process already has sales of more than 700,000m³ to the construction industry in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

It can be used as a heat insulator in buildings sound insulator, such as alongside a railway line or major road, and as a material in roads. Dr Steiner said it is good for roads in regions where there is permafrost.

Roads in these areas are subject to subsidence when the permafrost thaws but the foam glass in a road helps prevent this. Other fields of application are landscaping and gardening.

Zell am Main, Germany-based SGCC was formed in 2006 and is partner in the production of foam glass gravel and foam glass plates.

It advises companies during the production of foam glass and can supply equipment for the production of foam glass gravel and foam glass plates.

A review of ICG/GlassTrend will appear in a forthcoming issue of Glass International. The ICG/GlassTrend event was hosted by Dutch technology group CelSian.

Neubor Glass is based in San Vito al Tagliamento, Italy and produces high specification glassware for use in the pharmaceutical sector.

The acquisition will increase Bormioli Rocco’s production capacity with the construction of a new furnace at Neubor Glass to manufacture moulded flint type I glass.

It will release capacity constraints for moulded flint type I glass which is a core glassware for Bormioli Rocco.

The acquisition will also expand its range of pharmaceutical packaging products, creating containers for supply into the injectable market, including vaccines and antibiotics, and into areas of oncology and blood derivatives.

Bormioli Rocco will also have the capacity to produce containers for parenteral applications.

The integration of Neubor Glass’s tubular technology means Bormioli Rocco can produce disposable pharmaceutical vials and small bottles with a capacity of less than 10ml. Bormioli Rocco said it plans to produce its Delta vials in the Neubor Glass plant.

St Petersburg, Russia-based manufacturer and distributor Altair will partner with Bormioli in the acquisition.

The Dutch company has moved its offices and laboratories to a new building at the Strijp-T industrial area in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, which is about 2km from its old site.

It said the move gave it more floor space and would enable it to accommodate future growth. Its new location was built in 1957 and was the former R&D centre for Philips glass industries.

Its visiting address is Zwaanstraat 1, Building TZ, 5651 CA Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Its glass segment sales were $256 million for the quarter, matching the prior year sales for the same quarter. It said higher flat glass volumes had been offset by lower glass fibre glass pricing due to reduced demand.

The lower pricing led to a decrease of $3 million in its segment earnings to $5 million along with the negative impact of inflation, including higher natural gas costs, which offset strong manufacturing cost improvements.

CEO Charles Bunch said there are signs of improvement in the commercial construction market and said the flat glass market was a leading indicator of the improvement.

“Looking to Q2, we anticipate positive momentum in the USA and Asia to continue, while conditions in Europe remain challenging with limited prospects for near-term improvement,” Bunch said.

Adrián Sada Cueva, CEO Vitro, said the company was proud to win the award.

“For Vitro, the generation of economic value only makes sense if it’s balanced with the welfare and the total development of our interest groups.

“It has been that way since our incorporation more than 100 years ago and, because of that, our social responsibility has been able to go beyond economic and financial conjunctures, such as we have done in recent years and will continue to do so.”

Oone of Vitro’s most important initiatives is its glass recycling programme, he stated.

“Our goal of preserving the environment comes from our roots and reason of being, the glass; an environmental friendly product is 100% recyclable.”

In 2012 Vitro collected 191,737 tonnes of glass to reprocess, equal to 400,000m², enough space to occupy almost 17 times the Mayan pyramid of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza, he added.

Family firm HW Glass went into administration last month with more than 50 staff losing their jobs.

Glass processing machinery along with cutting, washing and other industrial equipment from the Wigan based factory is due to be auctioned off.

Iain Gash, manager of Winterhill Largo, the insolvency group running the auction, said: “HW’s collapse was sad news for the company’s workforce and for Wigan itself.

“It is essential now that we achieve the best value for the company’s assets so that creditors can be paid, as fully as possible, what they are owed.”

The auction will take place from 19 to 23 April. Viewings on the 18th can be arranged by contacting +44 (0) 1254 763183.

Information on the machinery included is available at www.winterhilllargo.com, interested parties can register at www.bidspotter.co.uk.

The team will provide support to the sector to address requirements in areas of industrial technology, in particular, automation and drive technologies solutions.

The glass and solar sector team will be led by Steve Martin. He said: “Siemens Industry understands the issues facing the glass and solar sector. 

"Our specialist team will work alongside manufacturers to ensure we help them meet the challenges of the future, including improving operational efficiencies and creating flexible production platforms.”

Sector heads will exploit market potential in high-growth vertical markets across the UK, with a view of bringing intelligence to the product development and production process.

Siemens will also take a position in the merging of product development and production structures, while looking to identify and grasp growth opportunities in emerging markets.

It takes place at the British Glass site in Chapeltown, Sheffield, UK.

Anyone interested  should contact The Glass Academy on +44 (0) 114 290 1850 or email info@theglassacademy.org

The project, which started in January 2012 has resulted in a larger furnace with increased production capacity and improved environmental performance. The furnace is larger and deeper with provision for electric and oxy-fuel boosting.

The project was managed by Allied’s own in-house Engineering Project Management team. After a 12-month tendering process, the team sourced European refractory materials for the build and selected technologies from Europe’s leading equipment suppliers such as Sorg, ACSI and STG.

A sealed doghouse and batch charger, a low-NO_x combustion system, integrated waste gas oxygen control, a new PLC control system and new gas metering and control skids are some of the investments designed to give better process control for improved production performance.


In addition to incorporating these technologies, the new furnace has significantly improved insulation and a re-designed combustion space. These changes deliver industry best practice for energy efficiency and NO_x limits.

Philip Morris, Allied’s Sales and Marketing Director says: “This strategic investment has been very carefully planned to ensure that we have the ability to respond to the future needs of our customer base.  With a 12 year life, the furnace has been designed to ensure we continually improve product quality and efficiency, whilst increasing our production capability.”

The furnace will feed five IS machines, including one fed by a colouring forehearth. This production line has already received a three million pound upgrade earlier in 2012, when the forehearth capacity was significantly increased and a new IS machine and inspection line were installed.

Technical Director John Naughton said: “Our project team had a brief of increasing melting capacity, improving process control, reducing energy consumption and meeting the latest environmental performance standards. By working with Europe’s leading suppliers and investing in the best new technology we have been able to design a furnace and forehearth system that should meet all of these objectives and enable Allied Glass to continue to grow.”

Ras al-Khaimah ruler Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi opened the manufacturing facility.

Sheikh Saud said Ras al-Khaimah will remain a perfect destination for investors worldwide.

The new factory will produce 150 million bottles a year. The company's products are exported to more than 80 countries. It posted net sales of 712 million dirhams ($190 million) in 2012.

The company said the site would help satisfy demand in the Southern hemisphere and serve markets including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. A total of 120 people will work at the plant.

Both located in the Kansai area, the plants have operated separately for the manufacturing of glass substrates for display devices, speciality glass for display applications and other display glass.

Following the organisational integration, the unified plant will be called the “Kansai Plant,” and the current Kansai Plant and Takasago Plant will become the “Kansai Plant (Amagasaki Factory)” and the “Kansai Plant (Takasago Factory)” respectively.

At the first Advisory Board meeting for the forthcoming trade fair a number of key decisions were made charting the course for the future. For instance, the official opening will be brought forward from the first day of the trade fair to its eve with a view to providing more time for an in-depth exchange between the top decision- makers invited from the international glass sector. Furthermore, this allows visitors and exhibitors to make even more efficient use of the first exhibition day. The opening event will be held off the trade fair grounds and will include a high-calibre supporting programme.

In addition to this, solarpeq – International Trade Fair for Solar Production Equipment, will be completely integrated into glasstec in 2014. In future, it will enhance the ranges of the world’s largest glass trade fair and feature manufacturing technology for crystalline and thin-film photovoltaics as a special themed area.

From June 2013 interested companies can register for glasstec 2014, which will once again become the global meeting point for decision-makers from throughout the “glass world”.

For more information visit: http://www.glasstec-online.com/cipp/md_glasstec/custom/pub/content,oid,10014/lang,2/ticket,g_u_e_s_t/src,2130/~/Tickets_Catalogues.html

The new facility is aimed at increasing the glass recycling capacity in Salt Lake City and will help reduce landfill waste.

“Expanding Salt Lake City’s glass recycling services is another step towards reaching our goal of zero waste,” said Salt Lake City Sustainability Director Vicki Bennett. “Every month over 125 tons of glass is diverted from the landfill through the City’s curbside and glass drop-off sites.”

The Salt Lake City Office of Economic Development, through the Revolving Loan Fund, provided a working capital loan that was instrumental in the development of the new glass facility.

The updated site offers useful content for consumers, public policy officials and GPI’s membership. Specifically, the site includes detailed information on the health and environmental benefits of glass containers, images of the latest product designs and detailed specifications for glass manufacturers.

Additionally, the homepage includes several dynamic features, such as the latest glass-focused news, snapshots of GPI’s individual members and content from the association’s Twitter feed (@ChooseGlass).

The site is divided into several sections, including GPI general and member-specific information, recycling information for consumers and businesses, an interactive locator to find the nearest glass manufacturing plant, suppliers and cullet processors, glass industry resources, and the latest glass advocacy information on the federal and state levels.

“Glass packaging plays a key role in our everyday lives, and it is important for users to quickly and easily find the information they need. We want to ensure our content stays timely, relevant and accurate. Our new website is our opportunity to achieve this goal,” said GPI President, Lynn Bragg.

“This site will be a vehicle for our members to engage their employees and customers, and a resource for consumers, state and federal legislators, media and others to gain important information on the health and environmental benefits of choosing glass.”

For more information and the latest on glass and glass packaging, please visit www.gpi.org.

The three-day event, hosted by CelSian Glass and Solar, was attended by about 100 people and in an opening session on innovation, featured five presentations from glass industry figureheads.

In a paper titled Gaps in Glass Melting Technology – what are we searching for? CelSian’s Ruud Beerkens discussed the challenges facing the industry and forecast what the industry would be like in 2025. In a 30-minute talk he discussed the challenges posed by reducing energy consumption, reducing emissions, improving the characteristics of glass and dealing with legislation.

Perhaps the strongest challenge, he said, was finding the next generation of young people willing to work in the industry. There is a shortage of good people at universities who want to work with glass technology.

Earlier, Vetroconsult/Vetropack’s Guenter Lubitz had introduced Hardglass - An Innovative Technology for Container Glass Production, which is a joint project with Emhart Glass.

Dr Arjen Steiner, of Schaumglas Global Consulting talked about From Glass Waste to Glass Foam, a path for sustainable reuse of natural resources.

To conclude the first day’s session Schott’s Hildegard Romer outlined the R&D needs of a speciality glass manufacturer in the next 15 years while PPG Fibre Glass’s Jaap van der Woude discussed the Netherlands Roadmap 2030 and if a 50% energy efficiency improvement in the glass production chain was feasible.

A full report of the event will appear in a forthcoming issue of Glass International.

In total, there are now seven different models of Champagne and Bordeaux eco-conceived bottles.

Verallia Argentina’s “ECOVA tree” continues to grow with the arrival of the Burdeos Vintage bottle, which weighs 450g. This model is the ECOVA version of the 590g classic Burdeos Cónica Baja, which was first redesigned to become the 500g Burdeos Cuyo, and finally to become the Burdeos Vintage.

According to the company, one of its main customers, Catena Zapata, will use Burdeos Vintage for its most exported wine brands: Uxmal and Estiba I.

The €25,000 award is aimed at renowned researchers and was bestowed for the first time in 1991.

Candidates who can provide references of their scientific achievements in fundamental research and/or technology development in the areas of glass and related advanced materials, components and systems in the fields of optics and electronics, solar power, health and living are welcome to apply for the Otto Schott Research Award 2014.

The deadline for submitting applications to the Donors´ Association for the Promotion of Humanities and Sciences in Germany, Barkhovenallee 1, 45239 Essen (Heidhausen), Germany, either by traditional mail or e-mail is July 31, 2013.

More information on how to apply at www.otto-schott-research-award.de

The three-acre plot is being supported by a £5.5 million finance package from bank HSBC and will be the firm’s fifth UK plant, following Recresco plants at Ellesmere Port, Southampton, Cwmbran and at its head office of Nottingham.

The plant will be able to take 40 tonnes of glass an hour for cleaning and sorting, before removing materials such as ceramics and paper to produce furnace ready cullet to distribute to glass manufacturers.

Clear and brown glass will remain predominantly with UK manufacturers and green glass will be exported to European glass producers.

Recresco expects to create 40 jobs as a result of the expansion and a £10m rise in turnover to more than £28m.

It also forecasts the plant will drive export sales of its processed glass – exports currently account for a quarter of revenue, but that is expected to increase to 50%.

It is hoped that the facility will open in July 2013.

ClimaGuard Dry uses magnetron sputter coating technology to create a surface one coated glass, which insulates the outer pane when fabricated into double and triple glazed IGU’s. The coating helps to keep the glass temperature above the dew point whilst also helping to prevent the condensation from forming in the first place.

ClimaGuard Dry was originally developed in 2010 and has been available in other parts of Europe for some time now, particularly in countries where triple glazing represents over 50% of installations and in some of the Nordic countries where triple glazing now represents nearly 90% of the glazing installed. In these countries the benefits of highly energy efficient triple glazing have been recognised and the occurrence of external condensation is more commonly understood. With understanding, there is a general acceptance that exceptional efficiency may result in short spells of external condensation, and for many this isn’t considered a problem rather a showpiece that their glazing is keeping their energy bills at bay.

The Patent Reexamination Board in Beijing has now given decisions to invalidate Glaston's patents in question based on Land Glass' and North Glass’ invalidation claims filed after the infringement suits.

Glastonsaid it was disappointed by the decisions and will take further action.

“Although the same patents are valid across the world, the decisions were not a complete surprise considering the proceedings in China.

"Consequently, we have initiated proceedings to cancel the invalidation decisions and in the meanwhile have withdrawn our infringement claims against Land Glass and North Glass from the Suzhou court to reserve a right to bring it to the court again," said Arto Metsänen, CEO and President of Glaston Corporation.

In November 2010, the federal Court in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada issued judgement against North Glass in Glaston’s favour on the infringement of Glaston’s two patents for its toughening and bending technology, the other patent being the same patent as in the current Chinese case.

A similar judgement against North Glass was issued in the UK in 2006 involving another Glaston patent.

Ten states currently have so-called 'bottle bills', formally known as beverage container deposit laws.

The consumer pays the deposit to a retailer when buying the beverage. When the consumer returns the empty beverage container to the retail store or to a redemption center, the deposit is refunded.

Placing a bounty on bottles and cans is designed to reduce litter, but as witnesses from Muncie and Richmond told lawmakers, there are other reasons, including job creation.

For more visit http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20130402/NEWS01/304020007?nclick_check=1

Source The Star Press

Specifically, the UGSC is seeking proposals to answer the question: Where and how do flaws nucleate in glass?

The response due date is May 15th, 2013 and proposals will be considered to support graduate level research at the MS (1.5 year term) to PhD (3 year term) level.

More information at http://www.gmic.org/UGSC%20Page/UGSC%202013%20RFP.pdf or contact dbanks@gmic.org

The conference will be held in conjunction with the Glassman America 2013 exhibition and will provide a platform for the hollow and container glass manufacturing industries to meet in an intimate, relaxed environment and do business with decision makers involved in all aspects of design, process and production.



Please note:
• The number of presentations is strictly limited so please submit your presentation proposal as soon as possible.
• DEADLINE DATE: Wednesday 1^st May 2013
• Please include an abstract of 50-100 words outlining your paper.

Click here to submit your presentation proposal today

The award recognised the glass container manufacturer’s leadership in energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The company said it was the only manufacturer of glass containers or fiberglass insulation ever to receive the award.

"At Saint-Gobain, we feel a responsibility to lead by example as North American businesses come together to face the urgent need to improve energy efficiency," said John Crowe, President and CEO of Saint-Gobain.

"Our 350-year history is rooted in the innovation and manufacturing of construction materials that enable people across the globe to live efficiently and comfortably in a healthy environment – and that includes protecting our natural resources here in North America in the 265 communities in which we operate and in which our 19,000 employees live."

This is the fifth consecutive year that Verallia North America and Saint-Gobain’s other North American subsidiaries have been recognized by the EPA with an Energy Star award.

The EPA recognized Saint-Gobain and Verallia North America for their leadership in implementing process improvements and energy management practices over several years.

Since 2008, Saint-Gobain has improved energy intensity by 14.9%. In 2012, the company’s businesses in North America reduced their energy intensity by 3.0% – equivalent to the amount of energy needed to make approximately 716 million typical glass containers.

The energy savings equate to avoiding more than 90,503 tons of CO₂ emissions last year.

This is, in short, the message Glass for Europe will convey in its response to a consultation launched by the European Commission with the release of its Green Paper addressing a 2030 framework for climate and energy policies.

Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass for Europe, said: “Energy efficiency is at the core of all activities of flat glass manufacturers. The desire to save energy is behind the purchase of our products and is the main focus of research and product development in our industry.

"Energy efficiency is the only horizon for our business, and it is the primary concern in the daily operations of our manufacturing facilities. We are therefore disappointed by the timorous approach of the Commission’s green paper on energy efficiency.”

Glass for Europe supports the view that any target needs to be assessed in light of the need for Europe to strengthen the competitiveness of its economy and industry. This is true for the energy efficiency potential in each of the sectors of the economy.

Glass for Europe said it would  call for a binding energy efficiency target that will support economic growth, sustain the competitiveness of Europe’s industries and facilitate the transition towards a low-carbon economy across all sectors.

IIT will supply a complete turnkey fine grinding and process management installation for a new glass recycling operation in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The installation will comprise its latest generation m-series twin mill grinding equipment, with a particle size classifier and product collection unit, plus supporting equipment.

The customer, Aqua Bona, will use the system as the focal point of a new operation that will convert waste glass into a fine powder suitable for incorporation in paints and other products, as well as for use in water filtration systems.

IIT’s Lithuanian order follows closely on the recent supply and installation of a glass milling system in Portugal, where waste glass is being reduced to a granular material for re-use in the manufacture of glass bottles and containers.

The application shows how IIT’s fine grinding technology can be used to convert what would otherwise be regarded as waste glass into a re-usable, higher value commercial product.

IIT chairman Tom Wilkinson, said: “This is an important order for the company, both in terms of value and also in demonstrating how our specialist technology can meet the fine grinding requirements of waste materials that have previously been regarded as uneconomic.

“The low energy features of the m-series systems are opening up new opportunities in the recycling of glass waste, where turning the scrap into a fine powder rather than consigning it to landfill means that it can be economically used for recycling, either in the batch mix or in other applications of the sort we are now seeing in Lithuania.”

The system for supply to Lithuania is in design and development and is due to be delivered in June.

Mr Garcia will assist Mr Sada Cueva during the next few months to guarantee an orderly transition.

Mr Garcia has retired from the group and said he had fulfilled his commitment to complete the financial restructuring of the company.

Vitro Chairman Adrian Sada Gonzalez, said: “The commitment and professionalism of Hugo were a key factor so that we could successfully conclude the restructuring process of our company, which today presents a solid financial position and is at the dawn of a new development stage”.

Mr Sada Cueva has been Vitro’s President of Glass Containers since March 2012 and has worked for the company for 15 years.

Before leading the Glass Containers business unit, Mr. Sada Cueva was VP Operations and Administrative & Financial Officer of the division.

He has a degree in Business Administration from the Tecnologico de Monterrey, and has a master’s degree in Business from Stanford University.

This means that over 11 million tonnes were collected throughout the European Union in 2011.

This achievement follows major efforts made in all EU Member States over the past few years to meet the EU’s 60% recycling target for glass, a level that was reached by all the relevant countries by 2008.

Some of them recorded particularly outstanding results. The UK continues to make steady, if more modest progress at just over 60%.

Other countries are in good shape to meet the target within the later fixed deadlines, while for some there is still potential to improve.

All participants in the glass-closed loop have contributed to these good results. The glass industry has designed, manufactured and marketed containers to be effectively recycled in a closed loop system.

They have also effectively communicated good recycling practices to consumers. Collection and processing schemes have also been extended and improved, while the public has also been made aware of the importance of collecting more glass.

“We have no problems in absorbing more recycled glass provided that this is of high quality. Glass recycling is the key component of the circular economy - because recycling closes the loop," stated Stefan Jaenecke, FEVE President.

Each time a bottle or jar is recycled into new containers, energy and raw materials are saved and less CO2 is emitted. 80% of glass collected for recycling is used over and over again to produce new glass bottles in the closed loop system.

By recycling glass, in 2011 in the EU:
* 12 million tons of raw materials (sand, soda ash, limestone) were saved.
* 7 million tons of CO2 were avoided equal to taking 4 million cars off the road.
* A saving of 2.5% energy for each 10% of glass recycled in the furnace.

More needs to be done to collect the remaining 30% of used glass that currently is wasted, and to promote a circular economy that suits the ambitious vision of the European Commission to build a ‘zero waste’ and ‘resource efficient’ society.

It means the association will be represented in all of the BRIC countries with its own offices.

Brazil has become important to the German engineering sector during the past few years. More than one fourth of German exports are machines and plants.

The materials in greatest demand are materials handling technology, power transmission engineering, food processing machinery and packaging machinery. After the USA, Germany is the most important machine supplier for the Latin-American country.

The new ‘Director executive do VDMA Brasil’, is Thomas Junqeira Ayres Ulbrich, who has German and Brazilian roots. His mother’s family comes from Salvador, Bahia. Ulbrich grew up in Germany and studied in Bonn. He spent his internship in Rio de Janeiro.

He worked as a lawyer at VDMA from 1989 to 2000. He has had ‘full sympathy’ for the mechanical engineering sector since that time as he has been working for European mechanical engineering companies since the turn of the millennium.

O-I’s investment includes a furnace rebuild, machine upgrades and new process and quality equipment. The company expects a 15% decrease in CO₂ emissions as a result of this investment.

The furnace and new machines were inaugurated today (21^st March 2013) by O-I Europe’s President, Erik Bouts, with 50 customers, employees and local officials at a ceremony at the plant. Glass International was also present.

“The investment at our Leerdam facility is part of O-I’s strategy to significantly strengthen our competitiveness and capabilities in Europe. In 2013, we will be investing €140 million in our European operations,” said Mr Bouts. “Over the next several years, we will accelerate our efforts to enhance O-I’s capabilities to better support the growing needs of our European customers for sustainable and healthy glass packaging.”

The Leerdam plant is one of three O-I plants in the Netherlands. It employs 300 people. Each year, its three furnaces produce more than one billion bottles in amber and green glass for the Benelux beer market.

Dennis O’Shaughnessy, Ph.D., PPG Associate Director for flat glass research and development, accepted the award on behalf of the PPG team during the 2013 Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Research and Development (R&D) Workshop in Long Beach, California.

PPG’s advances are the result of a two-year project initiated with the DOE in 2010 to promote the commercialisation and mass production of OLED lighting. The PPG team led by Abhinav Bhandari, Ph.D., Project Engineer, has demonstrated a float glass-based integrated substrate with scalable light-extraction technologies and transparent conductive films for OLED lighting applications.

The results indicate cost and performance advantages over conventional indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated display-grade glass substrates.

Dick Beuke, PPG Vice President, flat glass, said the new glass substrate is one of several major initiatives the company is advancing to reduce energy use in the USA: “At PPG, we are proud to be developing glass technologies to make OLED lighting more viable for mass use,” he said. “This research enhances and complements the work our scientists are doing in architectural glass and coatings to make homes and buildings more energy efficient, and in solar technology to help that industry achieve grid parity.”

The company will advise on specifications and guidelines for various kinds of glass manufacturing in India mainly for pharmaceuticals tubing.

According to the company, as a new Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) member, the company will advise CHD-10, a subcommittee of the chemicals department, on specifications and guidelines for various kinds of glass manufacturing in India - mainly for pharmaceutical tubing but also for other applications such as fire-safe glass, household appliances, and fiber optics.

For more information visit http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods/svs/paper-/-wood-/-glass/-plastic/-marbles/schott-glass-appointed-to-bis-to-advise-on-pharma-glass/articleshow/19069484.cms

The pair, who attended with Business Development Manager Tony Smith, were invited after the Deputy Prime Minister was impressed on a visit to the firm in December.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “I was delighted to welcome Daniel and James to Admiralty House, after being hugely impressed when I visited Pilkington Glass last year.

"It’s clear they are making a valuable contribution and their hard work now will no doubt set them up for a bright future.”

More than 2850 people started apprenticeships in St Helens last year, more than double the number that started in the region two years previously.

Bucher increased sales by 12% to CHF 2 609 million while operating profit rose 21% to CHF 229 million ($242.9 million).

In its financial report for the year it said the market for the glass container industry remained stable.

It said the shift of emphasis towards growth markets in the emerging economies of Asia, the Middle East and South America increased cost pressure and accelerated the trend towards simpler machines.

In this environment, Emhart Glass generated higher sales. Order intake fell, although the previous year’s level had been influenced by a major order from India. Marked fluctuations in the project business made production planning difficult.

Emhart plans to transfer most of its production capacity from Europe to Asia. In future it will produce high-end machines in Europe and simpler, standard machines in Asia.

Glassman Europe 2013 will take place at Expo XXI in Warsaw, Poland during 7^th and 8^th May 2013 and provides an excellent opportunity to network, meet and do business with key manufacturing industry figures involved with all aspects of the design, process and production of hollow and container glass.

Entrance to the exhibition and conference is FREE.

Conference programme:
Day One: 
Tuesday 7^th May


Exhibition opening hours: 09.30 – 18.00 
Conference hours: 14.00 – 17.30 (approx)



14.00 – 14.25


‘Building a glass plant in Poland’

Stölzle Glass: Johannes Schick, CEO



14.25 – 14.50


‘Energy Saving, Production Increase and NO_x Reduction - ggENO_x – the Omnipotent Solution’


Glass Global: Claas Heymann, Engineering Manager



14.50 – 15.15


‘Glass under pressure’


British Glass: John Stockdale, Environmental Director



-BREAK-



16.00 – 16.10


Title – TBA


Polish Institute of Ceramics and Building Materials: Małgorzata Marecka, Research Assistant



16.10 – 16.35


‘Decision making in the glass industry’


Henderson Technology: John Henderson, Managing Director



16.35 – 17.00


‘The Tses Glass Project’



Tses Glass: Simon Kapenda, Chief Planner and Economic Development Officer



17.00 – 17.25


‘ancorro -  Lowering of refractory corrosion’


Freiberg University: Rolf Weigand, Project Manager



Day Two:
 Wednesday 8^th May


Exhibition opening hours: 09.30 – 16.00 
Conference hours: Morning 10.00 – 12.30, Afternoon 14.00 – 16.00 (approx)



10.00 – 10.25


‘Efficient use of electric melting in tableware production’


Arc International/AGMS: Laurent Derigny, Project Engineer



10.25 – 10.50


‘Electric Boosting Technology For Glass Melting Furnace: Optimisation of Furnace Design by Mathematical Modelling’


Glass Service: Miroslav Kovác



10.50 – 11.15


´How to improve forming and save energy’


Pneumofore: Mauro Ferrero, Director of Sales



11.15 – 11.40


‘The variation in forehearth operation performance statistics’


Forehearth Services: John McMinn, Managing Director



11.40 – 12.05


‘From zero defects delivery to zero defects production’


Xpar Vision: Jeroen Vincent, Sales Manager



12.05 – 12.30


‘Innovation in the cold end, the Ranger camera check detection solution’


Heye International: Mark Ziegler, Marketing Manager



-BREAK-



14.00 – 14.25


‘Automatic and objective measurement of annealing stress and cord stress in container glass’


Ilis GmbH: CEO Henning Katte



14.25 – 14.50

‘Optimisation in container inspection using Intelligent Software’


Tiama - MSC & SGCC: Laurent Barel, Product Manager



14.50 – 15.15


‘Advanced turnkey vision solutions’



JLI Vision: Jørgen Læssøe, President



15.15 – 15.40


‘Improvement of existing stem ware production lines’


Athena: Klaus Pöting, Agent

Suntech opened the plant in Goodyear, Arizona in September 2010, saying that making panels in the USA would reduce time, costs and greenhouse gas emissions related to sourcing panels from overseas.

The plant, however, has been weighed down by US import tariffs on solar cells and aluminum frames, as well as a global panel oversupply.

According to the company, it is required to pay duties of 35.97% on solar cells imported from China and used in the plant.

The plant, originally expected to scale up to 120 megawatts (MW) per year, was scaled down to 15 MW in November 2012.

The closure, slated for 3^rd April 2013, is expected to affect 43 employees.

As part of the overall strategy, the company will sign an agreement to launch a joint laboratory for research and development of industrial applications in ALD with Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University (SpbGETU).

The main goal of expanding Beneq’s operations into Russia is to open up new opportunities to promote and implement thin-film technologies.

Through the launch of the new laboratory, the company will gain additional resources to help create products and industrial solutions. 


“Not only will these products and solutions be sold throughout the world, we see that thin-film technologies will play a key role in the modernisation of the Russian economy,” says Sampo Ahonen, Chief Executive Officer of Beneq.

The General Consulate of Finland in Saint Petersburg will host the Grand Opening event of the Beneq Russian subsidiary by organising a round table discussion with leading scientists and executives from relevant and active industries. The discussion topics will focus on the commercial opportunities of ALD and thin-film technology in Russia.


“Launching and developing this laboratory will increase the awareness and competitiveness of Russian science abroad. Additionally, it will help speed up the transition for ALD and thin-film from an academic science into new business ideas,” Mr Sampo continues.


The launch of the laboratory is planned for the autumn of 2013.

Triton is based in Arizona, USA and owns via-fill technology for interposer substrate, to realise next-generation semiconductor packaging products using ultra-thin glass.

By combining its technologies on ultra-thin glass and micro-hole drilling process with Triton Microtechnologies’ via-fill technology, AGC said it would contribute to the acceleration of next-generation semiconductor packaging development using glass.

The joint venture will invest in sophisticated glass sorting equipment that will make more recycled glass available for use in O-I plants.

Using recycled glass in the glass manufacturing process allows the company to reduce its use of virgin raw materials, lowering its overall environmental footprint.

Much of the recycled glass collected in North America comes from single stream recycling, which mixes paper, metal, plastic and glass.

This collection process often results in glass that is too contaminated to be successfully re-introduced into the manufacturing process.

Improved sorting techniques will increase the amount of usable glass available to O-I.

The building products company will close a glass manufacturing facility and merge two others in Sydney, Australia.

Managing Director Rob Sindel said the major restructure of its Viridian glass operations reflect the reality of the market and will improve the short-term performance of the business, positioning it to compete successfully in the future.

CSR says the high dollar has forced down prices for its products and made it cheaper to import materials, and has downgraded its fiscal year profit forecast to between $30 and $34 million.

The redundancies, closures and merger are expected to cost the company about $34 million however will deliver $27 million to earnings annually from 2015.

CSR delivered a net profit of $17.5 million in the first half of its 2013 financial year.

Christian T. Daes, Owner and Managing Director of Tecnoglass, said: "When we saw the new furnace about two years ago at a show, we decided to test one. The furnace features major technology changes. For example, quench marks on the glass have been completely eliminated."

"The results from our tests were so good that we decided to change all of our furnaces over to the FC500 to have the most modern fleet of furnaces in the world," he added.

The first Glaston FC500 furnace was installed in November 2011, and the second one installed at the end of 2012. Four additional furnaces are scheduled for installation and commissioning in March, April, June and September 2013.

TKS is a producer of glass fibre bushings and other parts which service the Chinese glass industry and has been operating since 2006. 

TKS will become a part of Owens Corning GlassMetal Services, a business unit which makes glass fibre bushings and related parts for the glass fibre industry.

The purchase only involves Tanaka's TKS business.  Both Owens Corning and Tanaka have other bushing business concerns globally. 

Owens Corning Composite Solutions Business President Arnaud Genis said: “The acquisition of TKS gives Owens Corning the ability to better serve China which is the largest and fastest growing glass fibre country in the world.”

Owens Corning's global bushing facilities include locations in Singapore, the US, Brazil and Russia.

Schott AG

Dr Heinricht is currently Chairman of the Board of Management of Heraeus Holding GmbH. He completed a degree in physics and a doctorate in engineering at the Technical University of Berlin and began his professional career at TEMIC Semiconductors.

After holding positions as General Manager and Chairman of the Integrated Circuits Division, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of TEMIC Semiconductor Group in 1998. In 2003, he joined Heraeus Holding GmbH as Member of the Board of Management. He was appointed Chairman of the Board and Labour Director in 2008.

Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schott AG, Dr Dieter Kurz, said: “We are pleased that we were able to recruit Dr Heinricht, an outstanding manager, as the new Chairman of the Board of Management. His experience in managing a company with a complex portfolio makes him ideally suited to lead Schott.”

Asahi Fiber Glass is Japan's first dedicated glass fiber manufacturer established in 1956 by Asahi Glass and Owens Corning.

Asahi has three business units: Glass wool, building material and construction operation. The glass wool business is its main unit and has 40% of the Japanese market.

The company has technical capability in the areas of development and manufacturing, and handles glass wool products, including thermal insulation for housing and building utilities such as thermal insulation and noise absorbing materials for high-rise buildings.

Orix will participate in Asahi Fiber Glass’s management and provide support on planning and execution of various measures to raise the corporate value.

The conference accompanies the Glassman America exhibition and will feature papers on market trends and analysis, technology developments, case studies and innovation.

Exhibition spaces at the Glassman America exhibition are selling fast – there are only five available booths left so it promises to be a popular event.

It takes place at The Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas on September 11 and 12.

Speakers at previous Glassman events have included FEVE, Sisecam, Glass Global, Stölzle Glass and Saint-Gobain Sefpro. The conference is organised by Glass International.

Please note:
- The number of presentations is strictly limited so please submit your presentation proposal as soon as possible.
- DEADLINE DATE: Wednesday 1 May 2013
- Please include an abstract of 50-100 words outlining your paper
Please email gregmorris@quartzltd.com with your proposal or visit the event’s website http://www.glassmanevents.com/usa/

Under the deal, Monterrey-based businessman David Martinez' Fintech fund will buy all the debt held by US hedge funds that were fighting Vitro in court over payment, the company said.

“These agreements allow us to close the book on a challenging period for our Company, and focus entirely on our business and meeting our customers’ needs,” said Adrian Sada Gonzalez, Vitro’s Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Vitro makes flat glass and glass containers for cosmetics and other uses, will now focus on expanding its business, mainly in the USA, which in 2012 accounted for sales of US$446 million a year – US$329 million for packaging and US$117 million in flat glass.

The Fintech agreement must still be approved by US and Mexican courts.

The technology group invested approximately €6 million in the tank, equipped with process control technology, which will be used to manufacture premium quality glass products such as Opalika white flashed opal glass, Artista coloured glasses, as well as restoration glass for architecture use.

The Commission said there was sufficient evidence to show possible dumping by Chinese exporters that may be injuring EU industry.

According to the Commission, the EU solar glass market is valued at less than €200 million, which accounts for a fraction of the EU’s imports of goods from China (a total of €293 billion in 2011) but the complaint marks a new challenge from the EU to Chinese exporters and the Beijing government.

Last year, the Commission launched its largest investigation to date, into alleged dumping of, and subsidies for, an annual €21 billion of solar panels and components China exports to the EU.

The EU ProSun Glass group, led by EU sector leader GMB of Germany, filed a complaint last month in response to a fourfold increase of Chinese exports to the EU in four years. China’s share of the EU market is now 25-30%, it said.

“The new case shows that China’s strategy to dominate the solar sector is not limited to just solar modules but also affects materials like glass,” said Milan Nitzschke, President of EU ProSun, which represents the majority of EU solar cell, module and panel production. “It’s a question of time when equipment and raw material manufacturers will follow.”

It is located in the Beijing Economic Technological Development Area and is the company’s second thin-film transistor-liquid crystal display glass production facility in China.

Corning will provide melting, forming and finishing capabilities up to Gen 8.5 for TFT-LCD customers, including Beijing Optical Electronics (BOE).

Corning also has LCD glass facilities in the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan, as well as in Korea through its 50%-owned equity venture, Samsung Corning Precision Materials.

Corning said in 2010 it would spend $800 million to construct the  new LCD glass substrate facility.

The plant is located near Corning’s Beijing-based LCD panel maker customers to enable more efficient collaboration on projects of mutual interest.

The materials produced from these phosphate fibres stimulate cell growth and are eventually replaced by cells such as bone or skin due to their unique ability to dissolve in body fluid.

Dr Nick Kirk, Technical Director of Glass Technology Services Ltd, said: “Developing new technologies is crucial to advancing our understanding and capabilities in material science.

"This grant will enable us to develop a prototype production facility and new glass compositions and apply them in new and innovative ways.”

The pair have signed a memorandum of understanding to buy Fritz Holding, which makes glass coating and molded parts for the automotive industry.

Trakya Cam said it planned to expand its capacity and develop its products in the automotive glass business by making the acquisition.

Fritz Holding operates four plants - two in Germany, one in Hungary and one in Slovakia in the glass coating industry and provides its products to auto producers including Audi, Mercedes and BMW.

It has an established structure to offer top quality service with the emphasis on active assistance and recommendation of improvements for customers' Ware Handling issues and in-house customer training facilities offering theoretical and practical training on maintenance and operational procedures.

In addition it offers easy contact for emergency situations seven days a week 24 hours a day 365 days a year, experienced personnel, prompt delivery of spare parts and assemblies and it has ISO 9001.2008 accreditation.

It achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification by demonstrating longstanding commitment to the quality of its products and customer satisfaction.

ISO 9001:2008 is a globally recognised standard that provides assurance about the ability of a company to satisfy quality requirements and to enhance customer satisfaction in supplier-customer relationships.

Certification demonstrates adherence to quality processes and procedures that ensure on going improvements in the design, development, production and support of hot glass container Ware Handling Equipment.

For emergency service, its Trained Service Technicians are located in the UK as well as in its Shenzhen office, China.

The buyer of the property complex is Tampereen Mummu ja Poika Oy, a real estate group belonging to Lahtiset Yhtymä, on behalf of the real estate companies to be formed.

The value of the sale is €12.5 million, of which the estimated gain on the sale will be approximately €3 million.
 In the letter of intent, the parties have agreed on signing a long-term lease contract.

The property complex consists of four plots and buildings. This area covers approximately 11 hectares and has five buildings and four unheated storage structures.


The sale is estimated to be completed by the end of March 2013.

Viracon decided to install the new coating technology in Minnesota because the Owatonna facility contains Viracon’s most extensive product capabilities and deepest bench of technical talent, and it is centrally located for serving the company’s primary North American market.

It said support from the city, county and state was also a pivotal factor in the location decision.

Schuller said the project is expected to get under way in April 2013, with the site work required to make way for a building addition to house the new coater.

It is anticipated that the new coater will begin delivering product for commercial buildings by late summer 2014.

While completing the registration, delegates will be required to book their hotel room. They will also be able to select the workshops and evening networking activities they may wish to attend.

To register and more information, visit http://gpd.sitefactory.fi/register

The final programme for the event will be released soon.

This is an ancient glassmakers’ tradition that requires the director to buy as many carafes of wine as is the number of blows he made in order to hammer down the last firebrick.

The act signals that construction works on the furnace have been roughly completed.

The Slovenian company has used 660 tonnes of fireproof material and 220 tonnes of steel structural frame to build the furnace.

The €7 million furnace is currently in the heating stage and will be filled with mixture in late February, as planned. All works related to energy supply and machine installation are currently underway.

The new furnace is expected to bring energy efficiency, better glass quality and an improved competitive position on the global market.

Scheduled to be completed by the autumn of 2013, the R&D Innovation Centre will produce sample glass containers using new manufacturing technologies and product designs being tested by the company.

"We are excited about the opportunity to use UT´s state-of-the-art equipment to help us advance our understanding of basic principles," said Dr Kimberly Houchens, Vice President of R&D for O-I.


UT´s College of Engineering, Chemical & Environmental Engineering Department has considerable experience developing and characterising other types of sustainable materials. "This partnership with O-I will give us an opportunity to expand our efforts and add glass to our materials experience, giving our students new opportunities to learn and grow," said Dr Maria Coleman, Professor and Co-Director of UT´s Institute for Sustainable Engineering Materials.



The agreement covers salary and fees for graduate research assistants to partner with O-I scientists and engineers. The budget also covers the purchase of newly available equipment specific to characterise glass, and fees to use UT´s existing equipment, including X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy instruments.

30% recycled glass is used in its production whilst a reduction of CO₂ has been achieved through the re-treatment and re-use of water, recycling of metal residues, and cullet recycling.

According to the company, no lead, copper or any toxic substances are used in the production of the mirror whilst ultra low VOC emissions maintain inside air quality making SGG Miralite Revolution non-harmful to health.

These measurable environmental benefits may be used in commercial buildings to help achieve higher BREEAM standards, supported fully by an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and Life Cycle Assessment.


The company said its realignment at its Shreveport, LA site would effect 200 jobs

Some production would be relocated to Libbey’s facilities in Toledo, Ohio, and Monterrey, Mexico. Existing staff would handle the relocated production in Toledo and Monterrey.

The tentative plan will be further discussed with the United Steelworkers (USW), which represents Libbey production and maintenance employees in Shreveport. The plan will see it exit sales of certain glassware items.


“We regret the impact these changes would have on our affected Shreveport associates, but they are necessary to strengthen Libbey’s financial and competitive position,” said Stephanie Streeter, Libbey’s CEO.

More than one billion glass containers are manufactured by Gerresheimer Essen every year. The facility has two furnaces, one for transparent and one for amber glass, which supply the production lines day and night with molten glass gobs that are processed into all kinds of glass containers.

The company has acknowledged that it is important to minimise production downtime as a result of the furnace replacement project, which is provisionally scheduled to last for six weeks.

“The replacement of a furnace is a special event at any glassworks. We’re all going to be helping out to ensure that the new furnace can be installed in record time,” said Dr Jürgen Unruh.

Dartington Crystal in Torrington has secured orders in China and as a result it is set to add to its current team with new manufacturing, sales and administration positions.

The company, which also owns the Caithness Glass and Royal Brierley Crystal brands, has secured new export orders for all three of its brands with opening orders of £40,000 in China.

It also secured funding from the European Regional Development Fund towards the costs of visits to China and South Korea.

Managing Director, Neil Hughes, said: “Although we have had an export presence since 1967, like a lot of UK manufacturing, we went through a difficult time and our focus in recent years has been on the home market.

“We have now reached a point where it seemed right to start looking at export markets again and exploring the emerging markets, particularly China, for the first time.”

Dartington Crystal was founded in 1967. It currently employs approximately 150 staff in Torrington and Scotland and has a turnover of £10 million.

Source: http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/south-west/85241-glass-manufacturer-set-expansion

Uniquely, they deal entirely with ‘practical’ glassmaking issues and their informal format allows participants to share experiences, and discuss solutions to some of today’s glass melting challenges.

The programme for Furnace Solutions 8 includes:

- Development of Melting Technology for the production of high-strength thin flat glass (Alan Stephens, Fives-Stein)
- A new approach to AZS faults in Float glass (Geoff Evans, GlasRef Consulting)
- Design optimization for a new modern container glass furnace (Andries Habraken, CelSian)
- Redox measurement and control in container glass furnaces (Sven-Roger Kahl, Ardagh Group)
- Bonded Refractories for the Extreme Conditions in the Top of Regenerators (Stephan Lohn, RHI Glas GmbH)
- Long term results of oxy fuel forehearth heating technology for E glass fibre production (Christian Windhoevel, Air Liquide)
- Permeability: The hidden key to refractory performance (Trevor Wilson, DSF Refractories)

Other topics will include further recent developments and experiences in glassmaking refractories and furnace repair techniques.

The preceding day (Wednesday 5^th June) will see the SGT’s first ‘Training day - Introduction to Glassmaking Refractories’. This new venture has been arranged in response to industry requests:
- The objective is to provide an introduction into the properties and performance of these critical materials - which are so central to the glassmaking process
- The speakers are international experts in glassmaking refractories - representing many of the world's leading manufacturers
- Topics will include the properties and performance of Silica, Fusion-cast, Basic and Aluminosilicate materials  - plus the testing and assessment of refractories for furnace usage.
It should be of interest to anyone involved in the design, operation and maintenance of glass furnaces.
 
The fees (including buffet lunches and refreshments) are:
- Furnace Solutions 8: £95
- Refractories Training Day: £40 (SGT members) or £95 (non-members)
 
Numbers for both events are limited - so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Further information (including the conference dinner) and bookings for both events:
The Society of Glass Technology
Website: www.furnacesolutions.co.uk.
Email: Christine@glass.demon.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)114 263 4455

Attendance at Furnace Solutions 8 and the Training Day qualifies for the Continuing Professional Development programme and CPD certificates will be presented by the SGT.