Press release
July 2015
'Dynamic glass', technology of the future:
Saint-Gobain and Schüco join forces
Bielefeld. Dynamic glass, which tints to allow sunlight and
heat to be controlled, will soon become an integral part of
what it means to create ideal living and working
environments. 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.
Further information about publication:
Schüco International KG
Ulrike Krüger
Karolinenstr. 1–15
33609 Bielefeld, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)521 783-803
Fax: +49 (0)521 783-950803
E-mail: PR@schueco.com
www.schueco.de/presse
www.schueco.de/press
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.
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.
For more information, visit
www.schueco.de/dynamisches-glas
www.sageglass.de
www.saint-gobain.de
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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, SaintGobain 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 SaintGobain, 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
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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.
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.
High-resolution pictures are available to download in the
Schüco Newsroom at www.schueco.de/press
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