Sustainability at Glaston

Safety

Safety glass – tempered or laminated – helps protect people from injuries, as it is up to 5 times stronger than ordinary float glass
Tempered glass – if broken, breaks down into small, almost harmless particles
Laminated glass – if broken, is held in place by an interlayer

The use of safety glass is regulated by international standards. Tightening safety legislation and building codes are driving the increased demand for safety and security glass
Safety glass applications: façades, shopfront glass, balcony glass, terraces, roof glazing, insulated glass units, railings, balustrades, curtain walls, burglar-resistance glass, sound-insulating glass, walk-on glazing

In the automotive industry, the use of glass is increasing in the exterior and interior. New functionalities and glass types as well as safety requirements increase processing complexity and quality requirements
Glaston offers the most comprehensive product portfolio in the industry

Buildings and construction combined account for 36% of final global energy use and 39% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions (Source: UN Environment Programme 2017)
The energy-saving potential in buildings is enormous. For example, in the EU area, 86% of building glass surfaces consists of outdated and less energy-efficient single or double glazing (Source: Glass for Europe)

Glazed glass is an essential construction material for low-energy buildings. High-performance glazed surfaces can help reduce the energy consumption of both heating and cooling. Triple glazing helps achieve extra energy savings and is essential for nearly zero-energy buildings
With the proper design, the amount of natural daylight through windows can be maximized, lowering the need for artificial lighting

Smart glass brings new opportunities for buildings:

The energy consumption of Glaston’s main products has been substantially reduced with the R&D efforts of our heating and cooling technology. In the tempering process of low-emissivity glass, savings have been approximately 30% over a 10-year period
Upgrades extend machinery lifetimes: all previous-generation Glaston machinery can be upgraded with the latest energy-efficient technologies

We spend over 80% of our lives in buildings. Natural daylight and proper sound insulation significantly contribute to our well-being
Well-designed sound environments in schools and offices enable better communication and help improve concentration
In hospitals, lower noise levels and a visual connection with the natural world outside help patients recover faster
In private homes, protection from noise creates a sense of security and privacy

Large laminated insulating glass units enable effective sound insulation and more natural daylight
Glaston ProL allows the flexible production of all types of laminated glass with up to 50% in energy and waste savings

Glass generates a minimal environmental impact
Glass is made of non-polluting raw materials, such as sand, soda ash, limestone and dolomite. The glass manufacturing process is highly energy efficient, requiring low levels of water and generating minimal waste
The majority of glass products for buildings are recyclable at the end of their useful life, contributing to lower environmental impact
When recycled into new glass products, glass waste helps save both raw materials and energy in the manufacturing process

Demand is growing for solar energy applications, such as solar panels, smart windows and integrated façades
Glass used in solar cells, mirrors and panels is subject to the highest quality requirements for glass thickness, durability and curved surfaces

The solar industry is one of the industries that benefits most from using thin glass
The main benefit of thin glass in solar modules is that it provides better light transmission of the solar radiation, increasing the efficiency rate of the solar panels
2-mm glass provides optimum light transmission, resulting in higher energy yield
2-mm solar modules are extremely lightweight compared to conventional ones, resulting in lower freight costs and easier handling and assembly
GlastonAir with special air flotation technology enables 2-mm glass tempering with excellent quality and without any roller waves, resulting in the thinnest and highest quality glass

Responsibility is part of Glaston’s everyday way of operating
Glaston’s own production processes have only a minor impact on the environment. The largest environmental effects arising from Glaston’s own activities come from the energy consumption of its facilities and from transport
Glaston strives to promote sustainable development – both with the products and services it offers to customers and in its own operations
The Tampere production plant’s ISO 14001-certified Environmental Management System provides the basis for the management of Glaston’s environmental issues