Glaston has retrofitted a tempering furnace from 2001 at AGC Interpane’s site in Hildesheim, Germany.
The two companies chose to modernise the existing equipment at their site rather than investing in a new production line.
The conversion began in early 2026.
AGC Interpane chose to retrofit the existing HTF ProE tempering furnace because the control system was no longer supported.
The options included scrapping the line, upgrading the control system to maintain the status quo, or implementing a comprehensive modernisation with extended capabilities.
Given the overall good condition of the equipment and the need to continue processing large glass formats efficiently, the company chose an extensive retrofit.
In addition to a modern control system, a new heating system and bottom convection were integrated.
AGC Interpane also replaced key wear parts, resulting in a system that has demonstrated significant improvements in efficiency and performance.
The upgrades have resulted in reduced energy consumption, an increased capacity, expanded capabilities for coated glass, and tempering of all temperable coatings, even in large formats.
The operation has also been simplified, reducing the workload for operators.
David Bernhardt, a member of AGC Interpane’s management team, said: “With this project, we are sending a clear signal to our customers and employees: the Hildesheim site will continue to be strengthened and expanded.
“The increased flexibility and new technological capabilities are key building blocks for our future development.”
The modernised system enables the Hildesheim site to respond flexibly to production requirements and support other plants during bottlenecks, while also creating new sales opportunities through an expanded product portfolio.
Sustainability in practice
AGC Interpane has extended the service life of an existing system while reducing energy consumption, making a contribution to conserving resources.
Furthermore, compared with a new investment, the retrofit offers advantages in terms of total cost of ownership and an attractive payback period.
Glaston also sees these projects as an important contribution to the sustainable development of the glass industry.
Riku Färm, Vice President of Solutions and Product Management, said: “An upgrade of this kind is a great compliment to the longevity of our equipment and the quality of our technology.
“It combines sustainability and innovation in one project and satisfied customers confirm that we are on the right track.”
