Glass & Sealed Units
Sustainability : No time to waste
» OAKLAND GLASS HAD BEEN keeping watch on waste since before glass became a scare commodity . Now , at the start of 2022 , the Dewsbury manufacturer has reduced internal and external remakes to the tune of 7 % less overall waste and are currently looking at a glass crusher to continue improving .
Amanda Falsey , co-MD at Oakland Glass explains : “ Sustainability was already a matter of concern for us here , but became even more pertinent after we attended the Glazing Summit last October and watched the panel discussion : ‘ Is it time to embrace a sustainable future ?’
The first step was to measure the waste being created . Amanda and the team set KPIs that would show results and set targets to improve them . These are monitored daily and reviewed by the management team weekly .
Amanda continues : “ An important part of the process is identifying where the
waste comes from ; such as optimising the batches , how glass is handled and correct training , remakes – internal or external , transportation – especially for larger , heavier units , plus the quality of raw materials .
“ It is also vital to make sure we involve all the right people in our own company and outside , drawing on experience and expertise to change our methods , improve our systems and adapt to ongoing issues .”
Oakland Glass is currently recycling monthly totals of clean cullet at 75 tonne and mixed at 40 tonne ; achieved by recycling as much glass waste as possible and continually reassessing efficiency . But that ’ s not all …
Amanda adds : “ Our new fleet of vehicles increase fuel efficiency , we have switched to digital invoices / statements / delivery notes to save on paper and printing , all washers on machine re-use water and we are in the process of implementing TPM ( total planned maintenance ) to look after our machines ; improving running times and reducing breakdowns / repairs .
“ In addition to the glass crusher we ’ d like to take on this year , we are currently looking at the furnace optimiser with our software provider , to reduce the amount of electricity we use . The matter of sustainability doesn ’ t have a start or finish really , you have to continually re-evaluate your methods and systems .”
www . oaklandglass . co . uk
New York icons revitalised for decades to come
High-performance Super Spacer ® T-Spacer ® SG from Edgetech , a subsidiary of Quanex , has helped revitalise three historic features of the New York skyline .
» BUILT IN 1957 ON THE SITE OF A mansion designed for multimillionaire William H . Vanderbilt , 660 Fifth Avenue has received 2,000 panes of glass as part of its dramatic renovation .
Internationally renowned glass manufacturer AGC INTERPANE supplied around 25,000 square metres of insulating glass , equipped with 20mm T-Spacer ® SG , for use on the 39-storey tower .
Two Bryant Park is even older – built in 1906 as a six storey dwelling in the Beaux Arts style , but gradually extended over the course of a century to the point it ’ s now 15-storeys tall .
Again supplied by AGC INTERPANE , the project received 9,000 square-metres of insulating glass , some of it ipasol Platin 46 / 31 solar glass with high daylight transmission .
The 450 tons of insulated glass used in the refurbishment was manufactured with
light-grey T-Spacer ® SG , and sealed with grey silicone .
The third project was the 77-storey , 427-metre One Vanderbilt – the fourth tallest building in New York .
AGC INTERPANE supplied the glazing for the four floors of “ The Summit ” observation deck at a height of 335 meters , home to a digital art installation , a restaurant , and the glazed elevators that rise from the city ’ s iconic Grand Central Station below .
Super Spacer ® T-Spacer ® SG is a metal-free , silicone-based warm edge spacer made of structural foam with integrated desiccant , that ’ s been designed for the toughest commercial applications .
On demanding glazing projects using extra-large glass panes , its extremely durable edge seal guarantees decades of exceptional performance and stability .
Edgetech Managing Director Chris Alderson comments : “ Edgetech spacers have been used in landmark buildings all around the world . It ’ s hugely gratifying to see our products incorporated in outstanding projects as a permanent part of the New York skyline , and with them , these iconic buildings will go on to offer exceptional performance for decades to come .”
www . edgetechig . co . uk
62 FEBRUARY 2022 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM