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NorthGlass Coating BU has achieved a technological milestone with a new coating line for 24 m long glass. With this development, the supplier aims to meet the growing demand for large-format, high-performance facade glass in XXL format.

Satinal has recently announced the installation of a co-extrusion line specifically designed for the upcoming production of advanced EPE Solar PV encapsulants and EVA tri-layer acoustic interlayers.

Dear readers, here updates and highlights in compact form from the facade, sunshade and glass industries in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (we call it the DACH region). Enjoy.

The Lisec Technology Days 2025 took place in Bad Arolsen on June 25 and 26. Around 60 trade visitors from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium took the opportunity to exchange ideas and information on trends, automation solutions, and forward-looking technologies for flat glass processing.

On 1 September 2025, Daniel Feische will move to the Glass Technologies portfolios as the Director and will be fully responsible as of 1 December. He succeeds Lars Wismer, who is taking on the role of Regional Head Messe Düsseldorf for Asia in Singapore.

With the establishment of Hegla Iberica, Hegla is reaffirming its commitment to the Spanish and Portuguese glass industry. The branch is based in Nigrán (Province of Pontevedra) in Spain and will strengthen the local service offering. “Hegla Iberica stands for maximum customer advice, reliable services and strong partnerships on the Iberian Peninsula,” emphasizes Hegla Managing Director Bernhard Hötger.

The completion of the first glass grid shell for the new Stuttgart railway station marks a significant milestone for the Stuttgart 21 infrastructure project. With the completion of this impressive steel and glass dome by seele, a visible connection between the new underground track hall and the city center has been created for the first time.

Heritage meets innovation in Ontario, Canada: +VG Architects revitalised a historic school into a vibrant community hub. With wooden louvres embedded in glass, the facade delivers daylight, solar control and a warm, modern aesthetic – all while respecting the past.

40 Leadenhall Street is one of the largest building projects ever completed in the historic City of London: 85,000 square metres of floor space for10,000 building users. For the glass facade, structural silicone-bonded double glazing, AGC Interpane Architectural Glass supplied more than 30,000 square metres of ‘Stopray Vision 60’ solar control insulating glass. Here are the details.

Turning groundbreaking research into real-world applications takes persistence and vision. Lithium Designers has moved from academic roots to international projects — and continues to expand its 3D-printing solutions for facades on a global scale.

Satinal, the Italian manufacturer of the Strato interlayers for laminated safety glass, announced the upcoming opening of a new facility in Southern Italy. Here are more details.

Chiara Sträßner is taking over the organization of the trade fair for windows, doors and facades. Elke Harreiß, who has been with the trade fair for over 20 years, will remain as Head of Department. In this short interview, Chiara Sträßner talks about her connection to trade fairs and her goals for the future direction of FENSTERBAU FRONTALE.

Swisspacer, the manufacturer of spacer bars for insulating glass, is moving to a new location in Lengwil in the Swiss canton of Thurgau. Read what CEO Matthias Bach has to say about the move, how modern workplaces are being created at the new location, and Swisspacer's commitment to the region.

The ift-Guideline EL-06/1 "Vandalism-resistant Building Elements and Facilities" describes test methods and requirements for the classification of components such as doors, gates, roller shutters, curtain walls, windows and fixed glazing regarding their resistance to vandalism. Here is more on the validation services offered by ift Rosenheim.

Sustainability, structural performance, and manufacturing constraints are critical factors in facade construction. The use of 3D-printed nodes offers new answers to old challenges – from reducing material waste to outperforming traditional components.

Photovoltaics, both in the facade and on the roof, clearly is a key source of power for the residential sector. Not all residential buildings are the same, however. Four models of implementing PV in multi-family homes are possible: In Part 1 we showed you how the power can be either used within the entire building or just to operate the shared services. Today we present the other two models.

A cooperation between ift Rosenheim and the University of Patras in Greece allows them to meet the growing demands of their customers. With its "FireUP" fire testing centre, the University of Patras provides the testing facilities for preliminary tests and official ift tests. More on the cooperation here.

While glass facades are an indispensable part of contemporary architecture, they often pose a risk to birds. At the Museum Folkwang in the German city of Essen, this problem was resolved using marking elements from Seen. The measure combines effective bird protection with design restraint.

Cericom GmbH will no longer manufacture laser machines or offer services. Instead, Lisec Laser Solutions will act as the laser competence centre within the Lisec Group. Three solutions are on offer, two of which we have already presented. The third and final part: LDP-A – Laser Drilling Processing

Innovative construction methods are transforming the way facades are designed and built — and 3D-printed facade nodes plays a key role in this shift. From unlocking geometric freedom to streamlining digital workflows, these technologies are redefining structural components like nodes.

Uplifter GmbH, a specialist in modern lifting and vacuum technology, announces a new strategic partnership with Dutch manufacturer Aerolift Industrials B.V. Here is the background to the new alliance.

The SJD Pediatric Cancer Center in Barcelona is one of the largest children's cancer centers in Europe. Geze supported the implementation of healing architecture with integrated door systems that combine accessibility, safety, hygiene, and an appealing design.

Not only homeowners, but also property owners' associations and tenants can benefit from photovoltaic power, both on the roof and as part of a building-integrated PV facade. There are four models available, depending on what you want to achieve. How do they work, and what are the advantages and disadvantages? Find out here. Plus at the end: a short interview.

Cericom GmbH will no longer manufacture laser machines or offer services. Instead, Lisec Laser Solutions will act as the laser competence centre within the Lisec Group. Three solutions are on offer, one of which we have already presented. Part two: LMS-A – Laser Marking System.

The requirements for modern living space are changing: Today, people want spaces that can be flexibly adapted to different living situations and climatic conditions – both in new buildings and when retrofitting existing structures. Loggia glazing offers an architecturally and functionally convincing solution.

Glaston has made two appointments to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) of Glaston Corporation. The new ELT members will both be reporting to President and CEO Miika Äppelqvist.

Bulgarian manufacturer Baros Vision has made a name for itself as a specialist in glass railing systems within just a few years. To enable even more flexible and independent production, the company has now invested in its own laminated glass line from Lisec – the first of its kind in Bulgaria.

This is a strong signal for the future of the industry being sent by FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2026: Next year, the trade fair will be presenting its Innovation Award for the first time. The new award is intended to recognize groundbreaking new products that impress with their innovative strength and appeal – and thus create real added value for the world of windows, doors, and facades.

At an altitude of 2315 m, accessible only by gondola, the Rudolfshütte mountain hotel welcomes its guests on the shores of the Weißsee lake. The traditional hotel in Austria's Hohe Tauern National Park has been fitted with heroal window and door systems, which ensure energy efficiency and comfort with optimum tightness even in strong gusts of wind.

Five of the 10 projects that have won first places in their categories at the 2025 Design Awards of US Glass Magazine feature interlayers made by Kuraray. Established to recognize excellence in architectural glass, the awards cover all facets of the industry and includes both structural and aesthetic applications. Here are the winning projects in detail.

As official media partners of the Advanced Building Skins Conference & Expo in Bern, Switzerland, we are happy to announce that we will be giving away 10 free tickets to the international event happening later this year. Click here on how to enter.

Cericom GmbH will no longer manufacture laser machines or offer services. Instead, Lisec Laser Solutions will act as the laser competence center within the Lisec Group. Three solutions are on offer, which will be presented over the next couple of weeks. Part one: LSP-A – Laser Surface Processing.

Companies across the entire glass value chain can now register for glasstec 2026. From October 20 to 23, 2026, providers from all over the global glass industry will once again meet at the trade fair in Düsseldorf. With its highly international pedigree, glasstec itself is the central platform. It also hosts a supporting program that showcases the future of the glass industry and facilitates knowledge transfer.

Miika Äppelqvist has been at the helm of Glaston Corporation since June 1, 2025. GW News editor Matthias Rehberger asked the new CEO about his plans for the further development of Glaston and where he sees opportunities for glass processors, despite the current difficult situation in some parts of the industry.

At the Glass Performance Days 2025 in Tampere, it became clear that innovation requires partnership. Miika Äppelqvist, Glaston’s new CEO, welcomed 500 international guests with a clear statement: “It’s good to work with friends.”

NSG Group recently held an opening ceremony for the newest 2-megawatt photovoltaic solar array at its facility in Ottawa, Illinois in the USA which will supply about 3.9 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity annually.

A research project involving the TU Dresden, Folienwerk Wolfen, Schott Glass and the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has just been presented at the Glass Performance Days in Finland: A thin laminated glass that combines defined strength with safe breakage characteristics. This marks a major leap forward in material innovation for facade design. See the details.

The US-based National Glass Association (NGA) recently published a paper titled "Overcoming Challenges of Circularity and Architectural Glass Recycling". This resource provides deeper insights into the North American glass recycling landscape. You can download it here for free! 

The Lisec Group recently presented its new Litros brand, which facilitates entry into industrial glass processing and IGU production with a well-thought-out portfolio. Being part of the Lisec Group, Litros can fall back on decades of expertise in the sheet glass industry. The new brand will be available in many key markets around the world.

As the Pathé Palace, a Belle Époque building in the heart of Paris now restored to its former glory, shows, warm-edge spacers can play many more roles than simply increasing energy efficiency and indoor comfort. There is a growing demand on the aesthetics, processing quality and production-related advantages of the product. See here more details on this stunning project and how Edgetech’s Super Spacers fit the bill.

H.B. Fuller | Kömmerling will be participating in the Glass Performance Days (GPD) in Tampere, Finland, from June 10 to 12, 2025. At the Nokia Arena, the company will be presenting its forward-looking technologies and solutions for the further development of the modern glass industry under the headline “Glass – The In/Visible Impact”.

The Velux Group has signed a multi-year agreement with the aluminium company Novelis for the supply of highly recycled aluminium. Under this partnership, flat-rolled aluminium with over 70 per cent recycled content will be used to manufacture Velux roof windows and accessories to further reduce CO2 emissions.

Lisec strengthens its presence in Mexico with new sales and customer service representatives, Eduardo Cortes and Enrique Lopez, ensuring closer customer connections and enhanced on-the-ground support. This reflects Lisec's commitment to cutting-edge glass processing solutions tailored to local needs.

At the Advanced Building Skins Conference & Expo in Bern on November 3 and 4, 2025, over 100 international architects, engineers, scientists, and representatives of the construction industry will present new projects and developments in building envelope design. Here you will find details and the registration link.

The Quality Association for PVC Window Profile Systems has reorganized its management team. Christian Fischer from Schüco is taking over as Chairman of the Board, succeeding Michael Stöger from Rehau, who has held the position for many years.

For the second year in a row, the National Glass Association, organizer of GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window & Door Expo, announced that high-profile building industry speaker and consultant Stefanie Couch, CEO of Grit Blueprint, will return as the GlassBuild Ambassador for the 2025 trade show, taking place Nov. 4-6 in Orlando, Florida.

Flat glass is one of the most technically demanding materials to move across long distances. It requires precision handling, minimal vibration and robust safety measures – all while accommodating increasingly large glass pane sizes. A brief history of the glass inloader and how the Lannutti Group have just agreed to add a large haul of them to their fleet.

One Flagler, a 25-story, 285,000-square-foot office tower in downtown West Palm Beach, is now a beacon of modern design and sustainability. Developed by Related Ross and designed by SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), the property sets a new standard for luxury office spaces and highlights innovative Solarban R77 Acuity glass by Vitro Architectural Glass.

In cooperation with Keller minimal windows and Kuraray, we at GW News are giving away 6 free tickets to this year’s Nordic Facade Forum in Helsinki. They will be given away on a first-come-first-served basis, so act fast and click here to find out how to win!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in manufacturing by major flat glass producers with a view to optimising processes, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions and securing competitiveness long term. But are AI applications also already of relevance to glass processors and the glazier trade? Read more here.

EuroWindoor calls for more time and clearer guidance on the EU’s updated construction product rules, warning that unresolved issues could disrupt compliance and undermine climate-sensitive building practices. Click here for more details on the implications.

From London to Tokyo, jumbo glass panels from vandaglas Eckelt GmbH can now be found in very special construction projects all over the world. Find out why the glass finishing company from Steyr (Austria) relies on systron's plant technology for its custom-made glass panels.

From June 10 to 12, 2025, the Glass Performance Days (GPD) will take place in Tampere, Finland, the world's leading glass conference. Technical presentations, workshops, and the Step Change platform for innovation make it a must-attend event for anyone who wants to help shape the future of the glass industry. Click here to register.

Last week, the Glass Alliance Europe organised a policy event to explore ways in which the Clean Industrial Deal could better support the decarbonisation and competitiveness of the glass industry. Here are some key highlights:

Not all safety glass is created equal. When polycarbonate enters the picture, performance, construction and costs shift. We asked certified expert Sebastian Dengg what makes polycarbonate-laminated glazing stand out, where its limits lie, and how it compares to conventional laminated glass solutions. Here are his answers.

The software start-up Lumeso has won two German Innovation Awards: one in the “Excellence in B2B” category and one in the “Transformative Solutions” category. Its AI-based software automates manual processes, particularly in order data entry. Here are the details.

The Board of Directors of the Glaston Corporation has today appointed Miika Äppelqvist as the new President and CEO of Glaston as of 1 June 2025.

Şişecam announced financial results for the first three months of 2025. In the three-month period, Şişecam’s consolidated net sales totalled EUR 1.5 billion. International sales – comprising the total of exports made from Türkey and sales from production facilities outside Türkey accounted for 63 percent of consolidated sales.

Founded in 1990 and located in Los Angeles, California, Western States Glass has grown to become one of the big players in the glass industry of California. In 2020, a new owner took over the company and continued the tradition of excellence as well as the long-term partnership with Lisec.

On May 7 and 8, 2025, the flat glass industry met for its traditional Glass Congress in Dresden. Organized jointly by the German Flat Glass Association (BF) and the Flat Glass Quality Association (GGF), this year's congress once again offered around 160 participants a platform for intensive discussions, exciting presentations, and personal exchanges. The atmosphere was relaxed.

The topic of thin glass especially for new applications in architecture attracted a great deal of interest among trade visitors at the past glasstec and its special show “glass technology live”. On behalf of glasstec the author asked research and industry about the current state of the art, what its limits are and which applications can already be expected by the end of the year: Daniel Pfarr (TU Dresden), Peter Nischwitz (Glaston) and Bernhard Hötger (Hegla) answered.

European manufacturers eyeing the US market can gain valuable insights into NFRC certification and energy efficiency standards at a free online seminar hosted by ift Rosenheim and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) on July 1, 2025.

In the One River North building in Denver, an artificial canyon winds its way through the 16-story structural glazing facade – a spectacular architectural detail and a complex function for the facade glass. These were implemented using the Ködispace 4SG warm edge system, which ensures energy efficiency in accordance with IGU units under the extreme climatic conditions of the city.

Glass producer Şişecam just announced that its CEO Görkem Elverici had suddenly resigned on April 30. A replacement has already been found: Can Yücel.

Lansing Unitra GmbH has added a new crane trailer to its range, which has been specially developed for the safe and efficient transport of glass and windows. The payload is up to 2 tons.

On 29 April 2025, the Statistics & Market symposium took place in cooperation with the German Flat Glass Association (BF) and the Window + Facade Association (VFF). After two difficult years, the general consensus at the event was that a tentative turnaround is on the horizon for the glass and window industry. Nevertheless, the industry had to cope with noticeable declines last year, but there is a silver lining at the horizon. Having said that, glass could now become scarce.

The owner of the charming country house La Quercetta sought the advice of PMO KE to find a solution that combined functionality and aesthetics, blended perfectly with the rustic style of the building and offered guests a new atmosphere of conviviality during their stay. Thanks to the collaboration with the KE Store Arredocasa, a tailor-made project was realised that transformed the various terraces of the building.

A few days ago, Lisec held its annual School Day, giving around 140 students and pupils from the surrounding area of its Austrian headquarters the opportunity to get to know the company better. This included offerings that were both fun and informative.

James O’Callaghan, co-founder of Eckersley O’Callaghan, is recognized as a leading pioneer in structural glass. More recently, he has played a crucial role in designing the world’s tallest hybrid timber building: the Atlassian Tower in Sydney. He will be a keynote speaker at Nordic Facade Forum 2025 in Helsinki. Here are some insights you can expect from him.

Facade contractor Gartner has secured the contract for the design, supply and installation of the exterior facade for the 50 Fenchurch Street high-rise project in London. The 36-storey building was designed by Eric Parry Architects. As part of this project, Gartner will work closely with its British colleagues of Permasteelisa UK.

Lisec recently announced that Brett Bedford has become the new head of Lisec UK & Ireland Limited, sharing the responsibility with longtime managing director Georg “Bobby” Mair. Mr Bedford’s professional experience gives him a strong foundation to lead Lisec UK & Ireland.

The Velbert Institute for Locks and Hardware (PIV) testing institute has expanded its team: Jamal Boumouchoun (52) joined the certification body as an auditor at the beginning of April. The experienced quality expert brings with him in-depth knowledge gained from 27 years at car manufacturer Ford and other positions, and will be responsible for monitoring certified customers in future.

Around 400 Velux Modular Skylights were installed as part of extensive renovation work on the ‘Les Bains des Docks’ swimming centre in Le Havre. The daylight solution was chosen because of its corrosion-resistant materials and maintenance-free components, which are ideal for humid environments, according to the planners.

Glass facades and window fronts can quickly become deadly traps for birds, as they do not perceive the glass as an obstacle and fly into it. Bird protection glass can significantly reduce this risk. Hegla boraident offers a mobile laser application that can be used to apply a protective pattern to glass retrospectively, which is an interesting new field of work for installation companies and facade builders.

There is a leadership change at GIMAV, the Association of Italian Manufacturers and Suppliers of Machinery and Equipment for Glass Processing, as well as the organizing body of the Vitrum trade show. Starting in June, Lucia Masutti will take over as General Director of both institutions. Here are the details..

With ‘AGC Recycle Glass’, AGC Glass Europe is now launching a new service to strengthen flat glass recycling. The new company actively collects glass waste from processing plants and end-of-life insulating glass from refurbishment projects. The used glass is processed and remelted in the flat glass production process. To this end, AGC works with a network of transporters, recyclers, waste disposal companies and dismantling companies.

Butylver TPS, the Fenzi Group's thermoplastic spacer bar for insulating glass, has officially received CEKAL certification. This emphasises the Fenzi Group's commitment to supplying products that meet the highest standards of quality, durability and energy efficiency.

Lisec was one of the first companies in Austria to be awarded the new Cyber Trust Platinum label for NIS2 companies. This award highlights Lisec's efforts to achieve high cyber security standards. Here are the details.

A new architectural landmark now graces the beach promenade of the popular Belgian seaside resort of Knokke-Heist: The Heldentoren with its two sister buildings offers its residents panoramic views to the sea. Insulating glass featuring the Swisspacer Ultimate warm edge spacer ensures living comfort behind the glass facades.

The situation concerning tariffs in the US is currently unpredictable. Against this background, the question arises as to whether it would make sense for European suppliers for the glass industry to establish additional branches elsewhere in North America, e.g. in Canada, a highly developed and mature market. And with tariffs also impacting Canada, it may be in the country’s interest to open up to the wider world. Our expert Val Voznyi lives in Canada and has answers.

The reuse of glass is becoming increasingly important for the construction industry. In order to promote glass recycling, Schüco and Saint-Gobain Glass Germany are now entering into a partnership to jointly utilise used glass from existing buildings for the material cycle and bundle material flows.

The National Glass Association in the US has refreshed its technical paper on glass characteristics for photovoltaic systems, supporting both manufacturers and end users with up-to-date insights.

The London skyscraper 8 Bishopsgate combines a striking tiered design with high-tech sustainability features – from active facades with intelligent glass to energy reuse systems. Its use of AGC Interpane glazing and cradle-to-cradle materials helps it earn top environmental certifications.

In this video, Dutch architect Frank Willems discusses the design approach behind this residence, currently under construction. See how Keller minimal windows facilitated the integration of the building into its surroundings.

With rising security concerns and evolving threat scenarios, the demand for advanced security glazing is growing rapidly. From urban buildings to storefronts, how are new materials and hybrid solutions redefining what modern safety glass can do? Security specialist Sebastian Dengg has 3 answers.

A Belgian family wanted to renovate their Art Nouveau villa from the early 20th century in an energy-efficient and stylish way. One of the focal points was to replace the monoglasses of the 30 or so antique wooden mullion windows with 86 new Fineo vacuum-insulating glass units. Here are the details.

Viprotron North America has announced a newcomer to the team: Kingston Eck will be joining the company as the President. With his extensive industry experience and expertise, he will be a great addition, says Kai Vogel.

With the new thermfix vario RC4 and omnia RC3 systems, Forster aims to set new standards in security and energy efficiency. The burglar-resistant thermfix vario variant offers protection up to RC4, while the multifunctional omnia window combines high insulation values with burglar resistance up to RC3. Both systems are available in Low Carbon Emission Steel, here are the details.

Biesse has completely overhauled and restructured its entire portfolio in all areas and expanded it in the glass and stone sector in particular. The new machines offer improved performance, a modern, uniform design and are also equipped with a new, intuitive Human Machine Interface (HMI), as the manufacturer emphasises.

Vitrochaves, one of the leading glass processing companies on the Iberian Peninsula, has successfully implemented a new, fully automatic LiSEC system comprising a glass storage, glass cutting, and insulating glass line. In this video, Managing Director Joaquim Chaves shares insights into the project and the advancements in the new production hall.

With regard to trade within North America, the economic situation continues to get worse, triggered by the US government's tariffs. It is currently impossible to predict how this will develop. A further escalation, which is not unlikely, would have an even stronger impact on machine manufacturers and suppliers to the glass and facade industry. Our expert Val Voznyi has 3 answers.

Founded in 1874, heroal has grown from a small craft business into an international manufacturer of aluminium system solutions for building envelopes. With a strong focus on innovation, in-house production and efficient services, heroal provides architects, planners and fabricators with integrated, high-quality solutions for modern construction.

Glass for Europe is stepping up its influence in the construction sector by becoming a full member of Construction Products Europe (CPE) in 2025. This move aims to highlight the role of sustainable building materials in key EU housing policies. As an active participant in CPE’s working groups, Glass for Europe will help shape strategies for a more competitive and sustainable construction industry.

With Compactwall TR, PV mounting specialists Aerocompact have recently expanded their range of mounting solutions for solar facades. This system specifically designed for sandwich panel walls allows for a better weight distribution.

The Willy Bogner chalet in the Austrian alps has been converted and extended by a living area with prime panoramic views of the mountains. Here is a short video for your enjoyment.

Lisec announces that the company has received the bronze medal from EcoVadis for outstanding sustainability performance. This award is a milestone on the road to greater sustainability and underlines Lisec’s commitment to the environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.

Here is a deep dive into solar panel technology and the latest industry trends from Satinal, an Italian company that produced interlayers for laminated safety glass. In 2020, they introduced the Strato Solar PV Encapsulants for PV modules. Here, Satinal offer a brief technical explanation of the technology behind such products and their latest offerings.

The safety and performance characteristics of building products have to be guaranteed. This also applies to window and facade elements. However, it is not always possible to put these usually large objects through their paces to meet the applicable standards. In Germany, there are only a few window and facade test stands in institutes that are authorised to carry out the tests in accordance with the regulations.

With its spectacular architecture, the luxury hotel ‘Koenigshof, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Munich’, designed by the Spanish architectural firm Nieto Sobejano, provides an exciting counterpoint to the historic buildings on Munich's Stachus. The architects chose highly selective functional glass from Saint-Gobain for the glazing of the five-star hotel.

The Wainscott Home is a unique project from the USA, which impresses with its meticulously executed architecture. A significant aspect of its allure is attributed to the strategically positioned minimal windows sliding systems, seamlessly integrated within the walls. In this video, Bates Masi + Architects explain the background.