AGC Glass Europe is to invest €10 million into the production of vacuum glazing at its plant in Lodelinsart, Belgium.
The international glass manufacturer has collaborated with Panasonic to produce Fineo glazing units with thermal and acoustic insulation properties.
It is designed to be as good as or even better than triple glazing, as well as to provide a high quality of aesthetic finishing. It will combine Panasonic’s expertise in display-related technology with AGC’s know-how in glass processing.
Production at its plant in Lodelinsart, Belgium is due to start in March 2019. Its products will mainly be designed for the construction industry.
Serge Martin, New Business Development Manager of AGC Glass Europe, said: “With Fineo, we have the opportunity to introduce a new generation of ultra-high performance windows, or to retrofit existing window frames so as to take advantage of the new glass technology for highest environmental performance at a reasonable cost.”
Its thickness, which is less than 1cm, is a fifth to a quarter of units of the same dimensions, while its weight is one third lighter. The thinness of the vacuum glass affords better light transmission.
The new product can be combined with the existing range of AGC multifunctional glass for solar control, security and acoustic insulation.
It will be aimed at new construction and renovation, including housing and non-residential, which is a segment with sales potential in Europe.
The investment will create approximately 20 jobs at an initial stage.
Fineo will be on display at glasstec in Düsseldorf, Germany on 23rd - 26th October 2018.
Pictured: AGC Glass vacuum glazing
