'Dynamic glass', technology of the future: Saint-Gobain and Schüco join forces

This is the view of Guillaume Le Gavrian, CEO of Vetrotech Saint-Gobain International AG and Director of Sales at SageGlass® in Flamatt, Switzerland, and Andreas Engelhardt, CEO and Managing Partner of Schüco International KG in Bielefeld, Germany.They signed a partnership contract in Bielefeld with the intention of establishing this innovative technology in Germany. 



With the partnership between Saint-Gobain and Schüco, more reference projects in Germany will be supplied with SageGlass® installed in Schüco windows and façades. SageGlass® is an electronically tintable and therefore dynamic glass for windows, doors, toplight systems and façades, which allows sunlight to be controlled without Venetian blinds or roller shutters. Currently, this special glass can be combined with selected window constructions from the Schüco AWS series with 75, 90 and 120 mm basic depths and Schüco door constructions with 75 and 90 mm basic depths. The FW 60+ façade system is also a perfect partner for this glass. The first joint project has already been confirmed – as part of the building work to extend the Schüco Technology Center in Bielefeld, the façade will be fitted with this innovative technology.





Picture credits: Schüco International KG



Signing the contract in Bielefeld: From left: Andreas Engelhardt, CEO and Managing Partner of Schüco International KG, and Guillaume Le Gavrian, CEO of Vetrotech Saint-Gobain International AG.



How it works

SageGlass® is available as double or triple glazing. The heart of the glass – its electrochromic coating – is protected by the glass composition on the inside of the pane and consists of five ceramic layers. The ceramic material is particularly robust and absorbs heat and light for many years with ease. A low voltage of just 5 volts is required to alter the position of the lithium ions and electrons in the layer so that the glass changes colour from light to dark. When it is tinted, you can still see through to the outside. Raising the voltage polarity causes the ions and electrons to return to their original position, making the glass clear again. On average, the amount of energy required per square metre per day is less than 3 watts.





Picture credits: Public Library, Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA© Fisheye Photography



With SageGlass® by Saint-Gobain installed in Schüco profiles, the window and façade design becomes more sustainable and energy efficient, and opens up new design freedom in tandem with increased comfort.



Product benefits

SageGlass® allows glare and solar heat radiation to the inside of the building to be controlled – irrespective of the height of the building. Visibility to the outside and the connection with the outside world are retained at all times. The glass also performs well in terms of sustainability – up to 8 points for the LEED certification can be achieved. Furthermore, this sustainable glazing solution also lowers the energy and overall operating costs of a building, as the costs for climate control and lighting are reduced. Another advantage of investing in SageGlass® is that it has a light transmission spectrum from 60 to less than 1%. This allows fading of furniture, carpets or works of art to be prevented.



For developers and architects, SageGlass® opens up new possibilities for façade and interior design. Metal fabricators can offer modern window and façade technology with innovative glazing and simultaneously solve complex solar shading problems for many buildings. And for the people who live and work in these buildings, the glass offers glare-free daylight whilst providing a pleasant inside temperature.





Picture credits: Schüco International KG



Signing the contract in Bielefeld: From left: Andreas Engelhardt, CEO and Managing Partner of Schüco International KG, and Guillaume Le Gavrian, CEO of Vetrotech Saint-Gobain International AG.



For more information, visit

www.schueco.de/dynamisches-glas

www.sageglass.de

www.saint-gobain.de



Saint-Gobain

In 2015, Saint-Gobain celebrates its 350 year anniversary – 350 reasons to believe in the future. With its experience and power of innovation, Saint-Gobain develops, produces and sells innovative building resources such as high-performance materials. The global leader in the design of living spaces, the company offers sustainable solutions for challenges such as growth, saving energy and environmental protection. The Saint-Gobain Group achieved a turnover of 41 billion euros in 2014, is active in 64 countries and has approximately 180,000 employees. In Germany, over 16,000 employees generate a turnover of 4.6 billion euros. For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit the website www.saint-gobain.de and the Twitter account @saintgobainme.





Sales representative for SageGlass® in Germany:



Vetrotech Saint-Gobain International AG – Sustainable glazing solutions

Vetrotech is a leading international supplier of high-tech glass with special properties. In the core areas of fire protection and security for buildings and marine applications, Vetrotech has decades of experience and a wide range of products with the appropriate certificates. In their own research and development facilities, Vetrotech tests and develops the sustainable glass solutions of tomorrow with the aim of protecting people in their living, leisure and working environments, and taking full advantage of all the functional and aesthetic benefits of glass.





Schüco – System solutions for windows, doors and façades

Together with its worldwide network of partners, architects, specifiers and investors, Schüco creates sustainable building envelopes that focus on people and their needs in harmony with nature and technology. Window, door and façade solutions from Schüco meet the highest requirements in terms of design, comfort and security. At the same time, CO2 emissions are reduced through energy efficiency, thereby conserving natural resources. The company and its Metal and PVC-U divisions deliver tailored products for newbuilds and renovations, designed to meet individual user needs in all climate zones. Everyone involved is supported with a comprehensive range of services at every stage of the construction process. With 4800 employees and 12,000 partner companies, Schüco is active in more than 80 countries and achieved a turnover of 1.425 billion euros in 2014. For more information, visit www.schueco.de