N. 41
December 2016 ISSN 2421-3586
BOTTOM LINE 2016 GIMAV A productive year filled with representation activities
INDUSTRY 4.0 A new chapter for the economy
PV GLASS Award-winning photovoltaic windows designed by the University of Milan-Bicocca honored at the R&D100 Awards 2016
PLAYERS
Intermac - The future of glass in augmented reality
12 GIMAV
INTERVIEW WITH LAURA BIASON
A productive year filled with representation activities
30 EASYFRONTIER INTERVIEW WITH FULVIO LIBERATORE
Well-informed about opportunities around the world
24
26
INDUSTRY 4.0 - OPINIONS
29
INDUSTRY 4.0 - OPINIONS
DINO ZANDONELLA ANDREA ZAFFERANI Recognizing the INDUSTRY 4.0 NECCA importance of human In the words of A new chapter for the resources Carlo Calenda, Italian Minister economy, an opportunity for Economic Development, for Italy’s glass enterprises in Udine to implement innovation
2 N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
3 12/ 2016
DISPLAY
on
ITALIAN TECHNOLOGY AWARDS - GIMAV 16 The Italian companies and their technologies meet
18
PLAYERS - INTERVIEW LORENZO VERDINI, INTERMAC
The future of glass in augmented reality
62
FLAT GLASS - PV GLASS UNIVERSITY OF MILAN-BICOCCA
Award-winning photovoltaic windows at the R&D100 Awards 2016
with future managers
MARKETS - BOTTERO
MARKETS - FENZI GROUP
MARKETS - FOREL
outstanding results
INITIATIVES - WHATSAPP 22 To communicate with Schiatti, just send a message 38 China: from “mass” to “quality production” MARKETS - OLIVOTTO GLASS TECHNOLOGIES 42 Russia: an intricate yet consistently attractive market 46 Fenzi South America celebrates its 20
th
anniversary
50 In Brazil, flexibility points to a future starring role MARKETS - MACOTEC 54 USA and Canada, markets on the upswing MARKETS - OFFICINE MISTRELLO 58 North America: perseverance and insight can yield CASE HISTORY - WARM GLASS 68 Renowned Wonderfall Chalet chooses Nsg Tec
windows for warmth
INNOVATIVE IDEAS - ECKERSLEY O’CALLAGHAN
entirely of glass
TM
76 Vidre Slide, the first fully functional slide made
N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
ART NICO CHINELLO
NEL FUTURO DEL VETRO, TUTTO È POSSIBILE. VITRUM 2017 3/6 OTTOBRE 2017
TUTTE LE NOVITÀ DAL MONDO DELL’INDUSTRIA DEL VETRO
5
Editorial
Aiming high through activities and events A general review of 2016 for member companies and for the world of glass. 2017 is the year of Vitrum: twenty years to be celebrated to the fullest
A
nother year comes to an end: twelve busy months, filled with activities, events and great ambitions. Yes, because all the work accomplished this year is aimed at 2017, the year of Vitrum, and the
efforts of the organizational staff are at peak levels for the 20th edition of the International trade show specialized in machinery, accessories and special products for processing flat and hollow glass. Breaking news can already be found in the interviews with Dino Zandonella Necca, the president of Vitrum, and Laura Biason, director of Gimav and of Vitrum. But in this edition of Glass in IT Style, we also wanted to take a look back at the year as seen through the eyes of the Gimav members. Along with them, we retraced their journeys to the leading international industry trade fairs and examined the implications of conditions in the respective markets by analyzing the economies of China, Russia, Brazil and North America. We also dedicated space, in the “Players� feature, to Intermac and the first application - introduced at Glasstec 2016 - of augmented reality in the world of glass. And, to conclude, the valuable information provided by Fulvio Liberatore of Easyfrontier on the customs-related opportunities available to companies interested in internationalization and, notably, the benefits of obtaining AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) status. All that remains is to wish everyone good reading and also a brilliant end to the year, as we begin 2017 together, with great ambitions. Chiara Marseglia
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343 EVO is an actual automatic system to cut and “trace” the glass for subsequent factory machining. The identification of the glass from the first job (the cut) until delivery to the customer is an important challenge for the glassworking industry, in order to considerably reduce costs and to increase productivity.
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Innovations for the near future include improving production flows and reducing material recovery costs, with machinery of the EVO range and without forsaking Bottero quality.
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Gimav
BOTTOM LINE 2016
A productive year filled with representation activities ARTICLE
Antonella Lanfrit PHOTOS
Gimav
12
“I
t was a year marked by a growth trend that leaves room for optimism and during which we saw robust participation by businesses in INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOWS with an impressive turnout in terms of attendance and innovations”. Furthermore, for the “Association it was a year of vigorous activity aimed at more appropriately and effectively meeting the spoken and unspoken needs of our members on all topics regarding business activity, like the need for training on specific issues, for SUPPORTING OUR GROUP STANDS at trade fairs and also for the VISIBILITY OF OUR BUSINESSES through the boosting of corporate communication”. This is the snapshot, described by Laura Biason, Director of Gimav, of a very busy year in which interaction
Director Laura Biason recaps the last 12 months of association work N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
13 between the association and its members was intense and worthwhile. Moreover, emphasizes the director, “We escalated our representation activities among the institutions, essential partners for our industry”. Only a few days ago there was a round TABLE MEETING WITH CONFINDUSTRIA ASSAFRICA & MEDITERRANEO, “at which we supported the expedience of putting pressure on the governments of Tunisia and Sub-Saharan Africa to extend or refinance lines of credit to their national businesses that purchase Italian machinery”.
The website, an information hub This year, continues Biason, “Gimav put a lot of work into the ASSOCIATION’S VISIBILITY, and consequently that of its members, by developing a web information service and turning our institutional website into an information hub where all members can post their press releases and news, reaching an even broader ‘virtual’ audience”. As part of this optimization plan, we also compiled a digital PRODUCT CATALOG that is now “also ready to launch in print form”.
Foreign trade missions and seminars Our foreign trade missions to the leading shows were “satisfying” and in some cases even brought “unexpected positive outcomes”, as occurred at GLASS SOUTH AMERICA, and at GLASSTEC, where Italian-made products were on display across “10,000 square meters and filled with innovation”. The market showed signs of momentum and “this gives us high hopes for the 20TH EDITION OF VITRUM that will take place in Milan October 3rd to 6th of next year”.
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Gimav participates in the ITA Italian Technology Awards project
Gimav recently finalized its participation in ITA’s ITALIAN TECHNOLOGY AWARDS project, promoted as part of a larger program by Machines Italia, thanks to which “from November 30 to December 2, we hosted a group of university students and one of their professors from the United States interested in the glass sector on visits to five of our member firms, a journey that brought them face-to-face with Italy’s flat and hollow glass processing and design industries”. The program, emphasizes Biason, “has two purposes - these are the managers of the future and therefore it is crucial that they have hands-on experience with the quality and the outstanding original features of the Italian-made products they have undoubtedly heard about already; we also had an excellent response from the member companies who made themselves available to host the tour, a sign of their great willingness to seize every opportunity for constructive interaction”.
A significant investment in 2016 was earmarked for TRAINING SEMINARS on specific topics of topical interest for our businesses. “Attendance was great - states the director - for topics like free trade, customs issues and sales methods and channels. Already on the calendar for February is a seminar on TOOLS FOR INTERNATIONALIZATION”. “The aim is to make them known, in particular to the SMEs, and thus contribute to the expansion of their presence abroad”, concludes Biason.
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15 Preview Vitrum 2017 20th edition of the show in sync with the 4th industrial revolution
In 2017, Vitrum will celebrate its 20th edition and will do it in perfect harmony with the times that see the manufacturing industry “launched” into the fourth industrial revolution. “Some seminars on topics of vital interest will rightfully become part of the Vitrum program - announces the director of Vitrum, Laura Biason - Among these events, one will certainly be dedicated to the
INCENTIVES AVAILABLE UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S INDUSTRY 4.0 PLAN. We are also working with some highly-qualified institutional and professional partners to present a series of seminars very closely tied to the needs of our member firms”. Vitrum, and this is advance notice regarding the innovations for the 20th show, “will host its visitors and exhibitors in PAVILIONS 5 AND 7 of the fairgrounds. They offer considerable advantages over the location of the past editions: they are close to the entrances to the fairgrounds and near the train station and the metro”. Furthermore, adds Biason, “they are pavilions that border on the Services Center, the venue where most of the scheduled parallel events will be staged”.
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Italian Technology Awards
GIMAV
The Italian companies and their technologies meet with future managers ARTICLE
Editorial Staff PHOTOS
Gimav
16
I
TA - Italian Trade Agency – is organizing another edition of the Italian Technology Awards as part of its MACHINES ITALIA Special Technology Project. The goal is to celebrate the technological excellence of the Italian production system as well as its leading role in training and attracting the finest talents from around the world. Gimav has taken part in this initiative in which various Italian players are also involved, among which FEDERMACCHINE and LIUC (Carlo Cattaneo University). The synergy with other countries included academic institutions as well as professional associations such as SME, SOCIETY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS ,
Best students from foreign universities visit leading-edge Italian companies N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
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and IoPP, INSTITUTE
OF PACKAGING PROFESSIONALS . Leading U.S. universities took part in the competition, with the students receiving awards in various sectors (Machine Tools, Packaging Technologies and Glass Processing Machinery), for the best project on the use of production technologies in these sectors. The prize was a oneweek stay/study period in Italy and included visits to some cities in Italy, various training sessions at Carlo Cattaneo University in Varese, and visits to some of the companies involved in the project during which the technological excellence of each product has been explained. As regards glass processing machinery, accessories and special products, the companies that hosted the students from 20 November to 2 December were OCMI-OTG, Cugher Glass, Fratelli Pezza, Bavelloni and Deltamax.
N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
Players
INTERMAC
The future of glass in augmented reality ARTICLE
Camilla Zanetti PHOTOS
Intermac
18
S
implify human-machine interaction by combining digital images with real objects, and make technology ever more intuitive, usable and advantageous from multiple standpoints. This is the future of industrial production, as defined by Industry 4.0. The Biesse Group and Intermac are making strides in this direction, with an augmented reality project resulting from a research agreement with the Polytechnics University of the Italian Marche region.
The project developed by the glass division of Biesse Group is the first to apply augmented reality to glass processing machines N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
19 The partnership with the Polytechnics University of Marche The workcenter used for testing the Intermac augmented reality project
“Intermac has always collaborated with many research groups”, explains the company’s product manager, Lorenzo Verdini. “These synergies generated many rewarding projects over the years, and helped our group develop innovative ideas and solutions that effectively address and boost the efficiency of traditional production operations. As usual - he stresses - we started this project based on our customers’ needs, and developed a human-centered integrated technology solution that supports and facilitates daily production tasks more effectively than ever”.
All through a headset Details of the new technology developed by Intermac
Lorenzo Verdini further explains that augmented reality headsets, which alter the view normally perceived though our senses by overlaying it with artificial and virtual information, “allow us to meet different needs”. “The machine operator is guided step-bystep through the worktable set-up, and the entire tool assembly operation. This means that by our augmented reality headset, we give operators an intuitive, easy-to-use tool for on-thejob training, which is crucially important to properly operate
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3D Content, animations and textual information: how augmented reality works
Using the special headset or the camera function on a smart phone or tablet, machine operators can view the “real world” in front of them, with the added b enefit of superimposed computed-generated images or virtual elements. The information is superimposed directly on the image in the field of view, from the operator’s perspective. 3D content, animations and textual information guide users though the task step-by-step, and hands-free in the case of operators using the headset. Therefore, using a viewer, the image of a worktable can be “augmented” with all actions required to assemble a cone for subsequent installation on the machine, and that of the glass cutter itself can show the proper positioning of suction cups for tooling.
The augmented reality station at Glasstec 2016 Intermac stand complex machines like ours”, says the product manager. “Moreover - he continues - the augmented reality headset is also a great sales tool, as it can show options that are available but not actually installed on the machine. Intermac is striving to provide innovative technologies that simplify, accelerate tasks, and decrease the distance between man and machines. In the future - he stresses - the difference will be made by companies capable of pioneering technological innovations that ensure a com-
20 N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
21 petitive advantage, and therefore positively affect daily production activities, simplify most common operations, boost performance and effectively reduce processing times”. “The Biesse Group and Intermac - Verdini recalls - were the first to undertake an augmented reality research project in the glass processing machinery sector, and that is because we have always prioritized and focused on the operator’s needs”.
Intermac conducted its first user-test at Glasstec 2016, where a.r. headsets were given to visitors eager to experience the use of “augmented reality” for on–the-job training for the first time. “The test was a hit - says Lorenzo Verdini - and the augmented reality project stirred up lots of curiosity and interest. Technology is an intrinsic part of everyone’s life today, and being able to see it applied in our sector entices the development of ideas for state-of the-art upgrades of our own”. “Visitors were able to experience first-hand the potential of augmented reality, and although they may never have assembled a component, with the headset guiding them through every step of the process, they were able to follow the specified procedure and assemble a tool onto an ISO 40 cone for machine use”.
N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
The first user-test conducted at the Glasstec 2016 expo
First user-test at Glasstec
Initiatives
To communicate with Schiatti, just send a message ARTICLE
Filippo Bordignon PHOTOS
O. M. Schiatti Angelo Srl
A
lthough more than a million users worldwide took advantage of WhatsApp this year, not many put it to the most productive use. WhatsApp is a multi-platform INSTANT MESSAGING APPLICATION designed for iPhones, Android and Windows smartphones to send and receive text and audio messages, photos and videos and video calls with other contacts who use the app. The user can easily download the free application: ALL IT TAKES IS AN INTERNET CONNECTION.
Photos, videos and more Thanks to new technologies and to smartphones, Schiatti
22
The company channel ensures speedier, more streamlined communication between tech support and customers N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
23 Angelo Srl recently established its own WhatsApp channel to connect customers with their support team in order to ANSWER TECHNICAL QUESTIONS and PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. In critical situations, customers can send photos or videos in order to get faster responses than in the past, even from machine-side. Tech support for Schiatti Angelo Srl can be reached through WhatsApp at +39 339 3588538.
Beyond communication barriers “New technologies have led to an improvement in working conditions from the standpoint of communications - points out Cinzia Schiatti in her job as company sales manager - in that they have allowed us to break down all barriers and borders and to do things that were unimaginable a few years ago, while sitting comfortably in our offices in front of our computers”. And, since success rewards those businesses able to make good use of the innovations of their time, for Schiatti Angelo Srl, as for many other companies in the glass industry, 2016 has been a year of recovery. “Partial data available suggests a 30% INCREASE IN SALES over 2015 - concludes Cinzia Schiatti - thanks in part to product diversification and customization”.
Cinzia Schiatti, Sales Manager of the company N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
Industry 4.0
OPINIONS
A new chapter for the economy, an opportunity for Italy’s glass enterprises to implement innovation ARTICLE
Antonella Lanfrit PHOTOS
Fotolia, Wikimedia Commons and Vitrum
T
he government’s “Industry 4.0” Plan to foster the fourth industrial revolution “is appealing because it rewards corporate innovation across the board and does not favor one sector over another”. Dino Zandonella Necca, president of Vitrum, succinctly assesses a plan that - between tax breaks and credit incentives, the new Sabatini law, a guarantee fund and the development of a
This is what the Italian government hopes to accomplish with its Industry 4.0 plan. The impressions of Dino Zandonella Necca, President of Vitrum and CEO of Adi Spa
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Competence Center to promote research and technology transfer - should contribute to the construction of a new and compelling chapter in ITALIAN MANUFACTURING. “The Plan - continues the president, who is a business-owner himself - comes at a particularly propitious time; since business is on the rise, there is an increasing demand for highly-customized products and in-house logistic and strategic systems to maintain a competitive edge. Therefore, the incentives contained in the super and hyperamortization plans for the purchase of 4.0 TECHNOLOGY AND MACHINERY are essential for forward-looking businesses”.
The hyper and superamortization incentives The hyperamortization instrument, which calls for a 250% tax benefit on investments under the terms of Industry 4.0 and will continue to produce its benefits until June 2018, “will also be an excellent DRIVER FOR VITRUM 2017. Along with the extension of the superamortization (tax break for businesses investing in capital goods) at 140%, the Plan will provide a major stimulus for businesses that
N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
In the words of Carlo Calenda, Minister for Economic Development, in Udine
Among the instruments in the government’s Industry 4.0 Plan aimed at spurring investments in technology appropriate to gaining a competitive edge in the fourth industrial revolution is a reformed and refinanced (900 million for 2017) Central Guarantee Fund. It requires that “80% of the endowment of the fund be designated for support of ENTER-
CC BY-SA 3.0 (author Federico Tomassi)
PRISES WITH A MEDIUM TO LOW RATING”, explains Carlo Calenda, minister for Economic Development in Udine for a recent meeting with industrialists from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. On the sidelines, he added that such an operation is “good for the banking system” because in this way “it has a state guarantee that is very high for companies with a medium to low rating and is very limited for those that instead have a high rating, because they are already eligible for loans”. Prior to this reform, “the guarantee was the same for everyone”. The change, and the process it triggers, should put even those businesses with a less well-performing balance sheet in the condition to launch innovative processes. “We did everything the business stakeholders felt was indispensable in order to be able to invest”, added the minister on the same occasion, “if they don’t invest, it will be their own fault”.
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Partnering with the glass division of the German VDMA (Mechanical Engineering Industry Association), the GIMAV senior management wants to clarify and define some common guidelines
Criteria for definition: a “pilot” handbook for the glass sector
What are the criteria that will make it possible to determine exactly if a technology and a machine are 4.0 eligible and therefore, whether an investment can benefit from the tax breaks implemented by the Italian government in the Industry 4.0 Plan? In September, minister Carlo Calenda of MISE (Italian Ministry of Economic Development) set out the requirements. The problem now is to raise awareness of these requirements at the level of individual industries and to “spread the news” to all the business stakeholders. A significant contribution to this question might come in the early months of 2017 from Italian glass machinery manufacturers who, along with their German counterparts, came up with the idea of DRAFTING SOME GUIDELINES. “In a recent meeting with Joachim Schmid, Manager of VDMA, the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association, we agreed on the expedience, if not necessity, to also make available to institutions - in addition to users - a handbook outlining the criteria to unequivocally define Industry 4.0 in terms of glass processing”, explains the president of Vitrum, Dino Zandonella Necca, who, along with the Gimav management team, met with their German counterparts. An idea that, starting with the world of glass, could cross-contaminate to the manufacturers of technologically advanced machinery in other industries as well. “Although Germany coined the phrase ‘Industry 4.0’ to describe the current fourth industrial revolution - remarks Zandonella Necca - even in that country it is not yet clear, nor is there widespread knowledge of what actually falls within this sphere. Hence, the common will to define those activities aimed at the dissemination of the culture of ‘interconnected’ production”.
N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
Super amortization: coming soon, a fact sheet for members
The regulatory and fiscal measures put into effect by the Italian government for updating the country’s machine pool and technology “are working” so, “we can’t help but look favorably on the approval of the Industry 4.0 Plan”. Gimav Director, Laura Biason, speaks confidently about the numbers. “In 2015, according to Istat data processed by Gimav’s Studies Office and inhouse surveys, Italian manufacturers of flat glass posted a 9.93% increase in the domestic market in value terms and, as a whole (hollow glass and flat glass), the domestic market grew by 3.82%”. These figures “were undoubtedly influenced by the refinancing of the Sabatini law and the launch of the super amortization incentives”, adds Biason. Extension of the super amortization benefit, along with the other key incentives in the Industry 4.0 Plan “will undoubtedly have a positive effect”, she continues. And, to promote the use of these incentives, the director of Gimav announces that “we are preparing a SUMMARY SHEET TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO OUR MEMBERS, who can also share it with their customers, in order to spread awareness of these tools that - concludes Biason - are not complicated to take advantage of, but you need to know they exist”.
want to capitalize on this opportunity, choosing from among the best of the available machinery and technology”. Z andonella Necca is very confident “about the new chapter that could open for the Italian economy” thanks to the application of the Industry 4.0 Plan which is an integral part of the 2017 STABILITY LAW. “It could engender a huge step forward in the way products are manufactured and thus also have a positive impact on the sale of machines in the glass processing sector”, he concludes.
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The opinion of Andrea Zafferani, CEO of Zafferani Glas When considering input on the Industry 4.0 Plan, Andrea Zafferani has some ideas that, in his opinion, could benefit the production system. Based in Genoa, he heads Zafferani Glas, a company established in the 1950s and which today operates out of a 10,000 sq. meter plant for the production of a range of machines capable of covering just about all the needs of small and medium-sized companies in the glass sector. “At the end of 2017, two members of my staff - with strategic jobs in production - are planning to retire, he says. To make this transition seamless, I would need to hire two qualified people at the beginning of the year in order for them to have an effective 7 to 8-month on-the-job training experience. An employment need that is essential to the company but one that I cannot undertake due to the expense it would entail”. Hence, the suggestion: “If there were some RELIEF
ON THE COST OF STAFFING FOR THOSE WHO ARE HIRING PERSONNEL, before the person who is being replaced goes into retirement, in my opinion more investments would be made in this core business asset: the people who work there”. And, Zafferani adds: “It is also important to continue to work on streamlining the regulations and come up with some rules that support the task of doing business”.
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Recognizing the importance of human resources
Internationalization
EASYFRONTIER
Well-informed about opportunities around the world ARTICLE
Chiara Marseglia PHOTOS
Fotolia
P
roduct origin has become a pivotal piece of information in any customs process, as well as in customer protection. Essentially, there is a need to have (and thus be able to refer) verifiable information regarding a specific product or its component parts: first and foremost, its ORIGIN. Knowing the exact origin of goods makes it possible to correctly pay the required customs duties, which can be different in EU and nonEU countries.
Origin of goods There are two “macro” definitions applied to the concept of “origin”: non-preferential (commercial) and preferen-
Easyfrontier’s know-how in the field of customs is available to GIMAV members. Interview with Fulvio Liberatore
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tial. NON-PREFERENTIAL ORIGIN of products implies that they originate in the country or territory where they underwent their last, substantial processing and, therefore, to be “of Italian origin” it is necessary (exemptions aside) that the goods undergo substantial processing in Italy. PREFERENTIAL ORIGIN, on the other hand, is based on specific requirements and is a kind of special agreement that translates to reduced or zero-duty benefits at the time of importation. Usually there is an underlying agreement between countries thanks to which “preferential” treatment is granted for the trade of products recognized as “originating” in one of the contracting countries.
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Special agreement with GIMAV: faster answers, lower cost
Again this year, GIMAV has entered into an agreement with Easyfrontier that allows its members to take advantage of the firm’s customs assistance and counseling services - skillfully piloting customers through the waters of international trade to help businesses gain the competitive edge (starting with the AEO status - Authorized Economic Operator - a current benchmark in the new EU Code), while steering clear of possible risks and learning to make informed choices from among the many opportunities offered by the Customs Code in all of the reference nations. “Our work - explains Fulvio Liberatore, founding partner of Easyfrontier and manager of its Research, Development and Analysis department - is based on non-stop, sustained efforts in training, planning, research and development on the laws, services, partnerships and opportunities offered by customs agencies to support foreign trade and to activate a best-practices process of mutual benefit. In order to take advantage of all the benefits offered by the Customs Code, it is essential that companies have people on staff who possess the so-called ‘practical standards of competence’. To do this, a proactive working relationship with our partners is essential: we grow, the companies grow but, at the same time, they must get us involved immediately so we can provide the right answers quickly”. Briefly, what are the benefits of this special agreement? “I hate to dust off our old pay-offs, but the most effective way to sum it up is: ‘faster and cheaper’. Actually, what we aspire to do is develop a partner
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relationship with the customs agencies that allows businesses to incur lower costs, achieve greater efficiency and, above all, gain an enormous sense of confidence and operational peace of mind. This - he emphasizes - translates into a gradual elimination of doubts and anxiety, the risk of inspections, regulatory interventions, loss of merchandise, disputes with clients, or long, unjustified holding of goods at customs�. Establishing mutual trust with the customs authorities and daily operating peace of mind: this, therefore, is the core sense of this agreement, which aims to assist companies in gaining access to global markets with much more confidence. And for GIMAV member firms, “given their stature on the domestic and international stages, the potential benefits are, without a doubt, manifold and of great value�.
The importance of specialized advice Venturing into the maze of almost infinite twists and turns and codifications to try to obtain legitimate advantages in terms of international trade is, however, anything but a simple undertaking. This is where Easyfrontier comes in. Formally established in 2005, its founders have been engaged in customs research and counseling since 1998 for countries around the world. With offices in Milan and Bologna, EASYFRONTIER is a network of relationships expanding all across Italy, with the goal of making a tangible contribution to the creation of a broad, diversified and global cor-
N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
porate culture. To this end, it makes the know-how of a highly qualified staff with specializations in various fields of expertise available to associations, organizations, institutions and companies.
The “Origins Project” In conjunction with the seminars on the FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS held at the Associations’ headquarters last May, Fulvio Liberatore outlined the details of the “Origins Project”, inviting the business executives in attendance to reflect on the opportunities that would result from integrating it into their business plans. “The primary benefit is tied to the proper definition of ‘origin’ and the classification of products that are subject to customs tariffs, trade liberalization, trade simplification, preferential treatment, restrictions and everything else that follows, as well as management of ‘dual use’ goods, that is, products that can have dual uses.
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And, for all those who produce machinery, the latter is always something to take into consideration”.
The steps: from analysis of goods to the codes “Step-by-step” management of a product, therefore, from the viewpoint of customs control and overcoming N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
barriers, as well as obtaining authorizations and advantages. But how is it done? “The first thing to do - explains L iberatore - is PRODUCT ANALYSIS, in light of precise knowledge of the regulations that govern their classification. These regulations are not ordinary in nature: they require a very close reading, partly because the customs authorities themselves make fairly complex tools available for use in answering the questions tied to the ‘correct and advantageous’ classification of products”. “Once products have been analyzed - he continues - the second step is to match each of these codes with the origin regulations that are applied in various contexts - preferential or non-preferential, toward given countries - and
36 N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
37 apply these regulations to the specific product under consideration”. This, in a nutshell, is the sense of the ORIGINS PROJECT “that must be implemented - he specifies - in close collaboration with the heads of the company’s IT systems, with the technical office and those who work with these aspects in terms of data integration, so that at the end of the project - at the time when an order is prepared, or received, or an invoice is sent, everything that is inter-related from the customs standpoint, the combined nomenclature, merchandise codes and origin of goods - is visible and legible on the order, the invoice or other documents, and can be utilized as an indication for importing raw materials, components or inter-EC procurement of the same”.
Competitive together Creating valuable tools and services for enterprise, in a cutting-edge and mindful manner, as already occurs in the rest of the world - this is the direction in which Easyfrontier is moving. “In Germany - states Liberatore - there are universities, degree and master’s programs specialized in customs matters and many companies employ dedicated staff, real professionals in the field of customs”. Evidence of the spread of customs expertise in a country can also be measured by the NUMBER OF AEO AUTHORIZED COMPANIES. And the numbers speak clearly: there are 8,000 AEO authorized companies in Germany, and in Italy, only 1,300. “But this, of course, does not reflect the relationship between the two economies - he concludes - Instead, it is a phenomenon that inescapably reflects on the entire supply chain. We want to do our part, also TO ALIGN OUR SYSTEM WITH THAT OF THE OTHER COMPETITORS”.
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Markets
BOTTERO
China: from “mass” to “quality production” ARTICLE
Camilla Zanetti PHOTOS
Bottero Spa
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hat is the economic situation in China? Between slow-downs and upturns, it continues to be a country with a strong impact on the rest of the world. DAVIDE CIGNA, SALES MANAGER for Bottero, a company with 25 years of experience in the Asian market and China in particular, provides in-depth answers in this interview.
GDP and a forecast for growth “For 2016 - explains Cigna - the GDP is expected to be 6.5-6.7%, with a forecast for next year of about 6.5%. The forecasts project growth to drop to about 5.5% in 2020. Some Chinese companies - he notes - are building new
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The Cuneo-based company has been operating in China for 25 years and is known for its innovative solutions N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
39 production sites in parts of Southeast Asia, both to reduce the cost of labor and to take advantage of incentives from local governments (Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma) and Cambodia) as well as to invest in the growth of local markets”. “One example - states Cigna - is the NEW XINYI GLASS SOLAR GLASS PRODUCTION SITE IN MALAYSIA, for which Bottero will supply the production lines”. “In China - he continues - there is an overabundance of low-tech machinery and products, with a consequent reduction in end price, and a quest for flexible, automated technological solutions that go beyond the mass production mentality of a few years ago”.
Automation and flexibility In this kind of environment, the results achieved by Bottero in China “are in line with development expectations”, according to the Sales Manager. “We are seeing a growing number of requests UTOMATED, FLEXIfor A
BLE LINES AND FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LAMINATED GLASS, both for export as well as local consumption. Given the increase in the cost of labor, the demand for highly-automated, unmanned layouts that ensure flexibility and smaller production batches is on the rise”.
Davide Cigna, Sales Manager for Bottero Spa N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
From its first international foray as part of the GIMAV group stand to the forecasts for 2017, the Bottero growth curve aims high
China Glass, and more: the bottom-line is positive
The number-one non-Chinese manufacturer in the People’s Republic
During China Glass, the first international trade show of 2016 in which the GIMAV group stand participated at the beginning of this year, “We sold; first in China, a fully-automated float glass cutting table with a piece-marking system, laser and removal of low-e residue”, points out Davide Cigna. Currently, “we are in negotiations for major automation projects and integrated factories with Chinese manufacturers looking to expand into different parts of their country”. Thus, for Bottero, the year’s scales are tipped toward the positive side, not only with regard to business in the Chinese market. “We are quite satisfied with the results achieved in 2016: we saw reassuring signs of recovery in global markets, especially in the second half of the year. Glasstec sealed this positive trend, with the accomplishment of the objectives we set for ourselves, both in terms of sales and future prospects”.
In the last three-year period, the Cuneo-based company was part of a major project for the creation of three production lines of ultra-thin glass (read the story in Glass in IT style No. 36, “Ultra-thin: Italy raises the bar). Delivery of the third line, which will produce HIGH-
ALUMINUM-CONTENT GLASS, is planned for the end of 2016. This is “a significant evolution in the production of ultra-thin glass that can be used in various industries, not only that commonly known as electronic glass for use in tablets and smartphones”. Davide Cigna, the company’s sales manager, reminds us that Bottero “is recognized as the top non-Chinese manu-
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“The strong team spirit that drives the Bottero lineup, with whom I have the privilege of working, is the powerhouse feature that allows me to look with optimism on 2017”. In fact, the sales manager expects the new year to bring “further growth compared to 2016, based on the 5-year plan we drew up in this year”. “Active investments in new production plants around the world provide confirmation that, in the near future, more glass of higher quality will be manufactured. Therefore, we expect that the glass processing industry will also follow this trend, with increased demand for new, high-performance lines and machines. And Bottero - concludes Cigna is the only enterprise in the global arena that has been active for 60 years in both sectors, serving its own customers around the world with passion and dedication”.
facturer in the country, thanks to its ability to roll out innovative products ‘customized’ for the Chinese market. Such a role takes on even more significance at this moment in time in which Chinese manufacturers need reliable, experienced suppliers in order to make the shift from ‘mass production’ to ‘QUALITY PRODUCTION’, in other words, to produce with greater quality, in order to export around the world, and also to meet the needs of a domestic market that demands less quantity and more quality”. An example of this are some Chinese-technology float glass lines that are being replaced with higher-performance, more automated Bottero production lines.
N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
41 Rising expectations
Markets
OLIVOTTO GLASS TECHNOLOGIES
Russia: an intricate yet consistently attractive market ARTICLE
Camilla Zanetti PHOTOS
Olivotto GT
T
he business environment in Russia is still quite complicated. Relations between foreign suppliers and local actors continue to be plagued by the instability of the ruble, with its depreciation against the dollar and the euro and EU sanctions against the Federation. Despite the complex situation - in 2015 Italy was still ranked fourth as a client country of the Russian Federation and fifth as a supplier (data source, ITA of Moscow). Russia is now ready to embrace new business strategies crafted on the basis of new equilibriums and with a view to the long term. In this spirit, last June Gimav accompanied a group of
Recovery of the ruble is necessary in order for investments and sales to flourish. The current situation as interpreted by Olivotto Glass Technologies
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Andrea Valle, Sales Manager of Olivotto Glass Technologies
0.90 Press and Blow machine N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
“Our expectations for the new year are for a continuation of the recovery already in progress. We believe that most of the projects, pertaining to both our core business in glass machinery and the new business in development over the last three years in plants for the PRODUCTION OF FIBERGLASS AND STONE WOOL, will be concluded by the second half of 2017. For two years we have done a good job of sowing the seeds for this new sector; now we hope to be busy gathering the fruit�, concludes Andrea Valle.
member firms to the 18th edition of Mir Stekla, the international trade show dedicated to the world of glass and technologies for processing flat and hollow glass that took place in Moscow.
CM 5G Spinning machine
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After the seeds were sown, plants for making fiberglass and glass wool are bearing fruit
45 Postponed projects Olivotto Glass Technologies was also part of the Mir Stekla 2016 trade mission, and comments on the complexities of the Russian business climate. “It is a market that consistently has potential, even though some projects were postponed or cancelled”, explains Andrea Valle, sales manager for Olivotto. “Of course, as long as the devaluation of the Russian ruble continues, it is unlikely we will see our investments come to full fruition. I’m speaking - he continues - of projects like new plants, turnkey or not, for the production of items that are not currently made domestically by Russia, like P HARMACEUTICAL GLASS TUBES. But for other types of projects that require only minor investments, like small machines for the production of hollow glass, devaluation of the ruble also becomes an insurmountable barrier for local entrepreneurs who do not have sales organizations outside of Russia. So, projects get set back”.
2016, the recovery The year 2016 was “an atypical year for us”, states Andrea Valle. “It started out slowly, then, all of a sudden, at the end of summer, there was a real explosion in new demand and new projects that are in the works in our most strategic markets which, again this year, are CHINA, INDIA, NORTH AMERICA (where we experienced a recovery), and Europe, which is showing mildly positive signs. Our customers - he emphasizes - undoubtedly appreciate our ability to supply diversified production technologies and solutions customized to suit every need”.
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Markets FENZI GROUP
Fenzi South America celebrates its 20th anniversary ARTICLE
Editorial Staff PHOTOS
Fenzi South America
T
hanking all the protagonists for its success starting from the two founders, Fenzi South America celebrated 20 years of business by remembering the elements that have made the entire Group a world leader in the glass industry: high quality, focusing on a specific industry and dedication.
With an exclusive event at the Circolo Italiano de Buenos Aires, the South American branch of the Fenzi Group celebrated its 20th anniversary by welcoming partners, customers and friends from all over the world
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Pablo Soifer, Alessandro Fenzi, Pietro Ungarelli and Jacobo Soifer Alessandro Fenzi, CEO of Fenzi Group
1996-2016 The story of Fenzi in South America began with a MEETING BETWEEN DINO FENZI AND JACOBO SOIFER and is filled with personal and professional satisfactions. The collaboration was initially developed to support the production of mirrors in the South American market with Fenzi Mirror-backing paints, before taking advantage of the great potential of the insulating glass market in the whole of South America. Dino Fenzi’s strong intuition and Jacobo Soifer’s deep knowledge of the local market led to the birth of Fenzi Argentina in 1996. Thanks to a rapid expansion of sales, even in neighbouring countries, the company quickly became Fenzi South America, which is
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A story of friendship between Italy and South America
Alessandro Fenzi, CEO of Fenzi Group, said: “A special thanks goes to Jacobo Soifer, whose enthusiasm and optimism have enabled us to be here today to celebrate this important anniversary. This evening, the Fenzi Group also celebrates a story of friendship between Italy and South America and a story of dedication to the glass industry. Each day, we produce the best technology available on the market in our eleven plants worldwide. I am very happy to see so many friends, partners and customers from all over Argentina, but also Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and not only”.
now an important reference point for the whole of South America.
The great entrepreneurial skills of the founders Pablo Soifer, Sales Director of Fenzi South America, emphasised the great entrepreneurial skills of the founders of the company. “Twenty years ago, my father Jacobo Soifer and Dino Fenzi took up a CHALLENGE. Today we can say that this challenge has been won with a recognised leadership”. Belonging to an international group that develops cutting-edge technologies makes Fenzi South America competitive and effective, with particularly strong performances in a market where the most innovative living solutions can counteract problems relating to the energy crisis and noise pollution afflicting the territory, as underlined during the evening by Pietro Ungarelli, R&D Manager of the Italian Headquarters.
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Tribute to Dino Fenzi
Jacobo Soifer, Vice President and Co-Founder of Fenzi South America (in the middle of the picture), wanted to pay personal tribute to Dino Fenzi: “This is a special day for everyone belonging to this company, whose success is due to you, customers, colleagues and friends. Twenty years ago, a person who is sadly no longer with us placed his trust in me. Thank you Dino, for your trust�.
N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
Markets FOREL SPA
In Brazil, flexibility points to a future starring role ARTICLE
Camilla Zanetti PHOTOS
Forel Spa
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B
razil’s economic climate is very complex due, on one hand, to the current political situation and on the other, to the devaluation of the local currency and the recession following the global economic crisis. These three factors have made it difficult to do business in the area. “These events disheartened the entire country and consequently influencing market”, according to GIOVANNI QUARTI, AREA MANAGER FOR FOREL. “A few glassworks have abandoned their already-priced-out and finalized purchase plans and thinking about a back off from laying the groundwork for new investment projects. Instead of this market paralysis, our performance reach
How Forel is coping with the still-uncertain but slowly-improving Brazilian market N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
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DM, Forel vertical drilling and milling machine
Forel’s EM-DM edging-drillingmilling machine
important achievements. We believe that SITUATION will be IMPROVING and that the market will regain trust”.
Flexibility to meet customer needs Among the Gimav member firms that participated last June in the 12th edition of Glass South America, the most eagerly-awaited biennial glass industry trade show in Latin America, Forel implemented VARIOUS STRATEGIES to cope with the situation and successfully engage with the Brazilian market. “We looked at more flexible options that might fit better for some customers”, explains Quarti. “Now we need to keep a close eye on market developments in order to be customer-centric and ready
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2016 and Forel’s th 40 anniversary
This year, which coincides with the 40TH ANNIVERSARY of the founding of Forel, “our performance, in general, has certainly been positive - emphasizes Giovanni Quarti, area manager - It is consistent with expectations, which have seen us on an upward growth curve for several years”. “The celebration of our 40th anniversary caps this positive trend, demonstrating once again that the company is rock solid and capable of evolving with the times”. And 2017? “It will be the year in which we CONTINUE TO GROW and expand our presence internationally while maintaining our focus on quality, technology and the flexibility of our machines and our customer service”, concludes Giovanni Quarti.
to respond with even MORE FLEXIBILITY when opportunities arise”.
Insulating glass, the most promising sector “We will continue - he emphasizes - to track changes in the market, especially through our local partners. We are keeping some important projects alive in the areas of MACHINES FOR IG UNITS ASSEMBLING , a very appealing sector for us; and for pre-processing lines (grinding, milling and drilling) and those for vertical cutting of laminated glass. The outlook - according to Quarti - is still the brightest and we will continue to track the market, to guarantee our level of expertise and customer care”.
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Forel’s 40th anniversary and (under) his stand at Glasstec 2016
N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
Markets
MACOTEC
USA and Canada, markets on the upswing ARTICLE
Camilla Zanetti PHOTOS
Macotec Srl
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T
he North American market remains a strategic one for manufacturers of Italian glass processing machinery. According to 2016 Gimav analyses of Istat data, the United States is now ranked second among the importers of Italian glass processing machines and accessories (in 2014 the US was in 5th place), with a share of almost 15% for flat glass and close to 13% for hollow glass, which rose by about 118% compared to 2014. With the positive upturn in the North American economy, demand is increasing and a preference for Italian-made products translates to an opportunity for Italian businesses, so much so that in 2016, Gimav members participated for the first time as a group at GlassBuild America in Las Ve-
High-tech, high-quality products still drive interest. From the perspective of Macotec Srl N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
55 gas: in odd-numbered years, the iconic US glass-industry event is held in Atlanta.
New drivers, with skills and technologies
Lorenzo Filippini, from Macotec sales department
“Three hundred fifty million people form a vast customer pool that offers enormous possibilities”, explains Lorenzo Filippini from the Macotec sales department. The company, along with 15 other Gimav member firms, was on hand at the Las Vegas trade show in October. “The American market - he continues - is on the upswing, which more than justifies focusing our expertise and technologies on it. We hope that the election drives a further commitment to investing and that Italian-American trade relations are strengthened”.
The 2015 Star Cut Line by Macotec
N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
Participate in trade fairs worldwide to meet customers and understand their needs
TPF Removal Tool
With 2016 drawing to a close, Macotec’s overall performance “is positive”, remarks Lorenzo Filippini. “Participation in group stands at trade shows to gain insight into customer needs, in person with dedicated on-site visits, helped us make an indepth analysis of our clients’ needs and determine which products might best meet those needs”. For 2017, at Macotec we will certainly take action “to expand our sales network with the intention of further strengthening our presence in the US and Canadian markets. The quality of our products leads us to believe - concludes Filippini - that opportunities in this area abound”.
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Made in Italy is always a benchmark “Italian-made products - emphasizes Filippini - are synonymous with quality manufacturing and high technological content. Interest in our products, for example, is expressed by companies that want to invest in technological products that are reliable and have a long life span. Macotec - he adds - is investing human resources and time in the US and Canadian markets. Our expectation is that the coming year will confirm the upward trend and we hope the end users in our sector continue to rely on our products. What sets Macotec apart - he notes - is that our entire production is dedicated to glass cutting machines - this specialization in a single product category is what distinguishes us�.
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Macotec stand at Glass Build America 2016
Markets OFFICINE MISTRELLO SRL
North America: perseverance and insight can yield outstanding results ARTICLE
Camilla Zanetti PHOTOS
Officine Mistrello
N
orth America is a strategic market; one that is expanding and whose future prospects merit consideration. This concept is corroborated by MAURO ROVERON, SALES MANAGER for Officine Mistrello, a company with more than 20 years of experience in the design and manufacture of machines and systems for sheet glass storage and more than two centuries of history to its credit in the steel processing industry. “I can confirm that the North American market has a certain degree of strategic importance. As a medium-sized company, we do not have the means to offer a reliable overview of the entire market, but I can tell you that there is a fair amount of activity and, as far as our products are concerned, a certain level of interest”.
For Officine Mistrello, the growing North American market holds rosy prospects
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Orthogonal sorter with automatic bridge stock selector
Mauro Roveron, Officine Mistrello Sales Manager
The fruit of past investments harvested in a single year “Obviously - emphasizes Roveron - the vast size of the continent, along with the distances that separate us and the delicate political situation, are no help in defining an accurate picture of the situation; that said, it does seem to be quite positive. I have the clear sensation that North America is a market that, if monitored with perseverance and insight, can yield major results over a time span of at least a few years”. The company headquartered I Ponso (Padua) “has had SENSATIONAL SUCCESS in the North American market and, in just a single year, has harvested the fruits of major investments made during previous years. We succeeded - reports the sales manager - in selling, through various
N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
Automatic bridge stock selector with automated remnant management system (Restore) projects, almost our entire inventory of machines. As a result, the bottom line for 2016 was outstanding”. And, he adds: “The trend, despite a certain degree of caution due to the political situation - is positive”.
Highly-customized machines As to the appeal of Made-in-Italy goods, “I believe it lies in the flexibility, the open-mindedness, creativity and, naturally, the quality of Italian products. For us, with our production of completely ‘ad hoc’ machines, each individual project has its own special requirements. This works to
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61 The outlook for Italy’s glass industry firms in this huge market “is, I’m quite certain, positive. Clearly, that holds true for our company, too”, stresses Mauro Roveron, sales manager of Officine Mistrello. Not only because of the HIGH DEGREE OF CUSTOMIZATION of Officine Mistrello products and the positive upturn in the North American market, but “also because the domestic market really does not include any competitors of a certain level that can compare to Italian and European enterprises”. “After a long and especially difficult period, 2016 has signaled a TURNING POINT”, states Roveron. “The company has invested heavily in human resources and in design, with outstanding results and laid an excellent foundation for the years to come. Therefore, the primary aim for the future is to strengthen performance by maximizing - he concludes - the benefits derived from prior investments”.
our advantage, in the sense that we can freely express the creativity that is part of our corporate culture and that is greatly appreciated by our customers. Given their highly-individual requirements, each and every project is an exclusive preview”, emphasizes Mauro Roveron.
GLH Automatic bridge stock selector
2016, the turning point
Flat Glass
PV GLASS
Award-winning photovoltaic windows designed by the University of Milan-Bicocca honored at the R&D100 Awards 2016 ARTICLE
Filippo Bordignon PHOTOS
University of Milan-Bicocca
P
rofessor Francesco Meinardi, a Materials Physics teacher, created the prize-winning invention together with Professor Sergio Brovelli, an Experimental Physics teacher, both working in the Materials Science Department at the University of Milan-Bicocca. As Professor Meinardi explains, “Our photovoltaic research started about five years ago, when we began working on
The University of Milan patented LSC technology won the “Green Technology” Special Recognition Award
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The start-up company: Glass to Power
Professor Francesco Meinardi emphasizes: “The project has been a great success even outside the academic field, to the point that we quickly found investors ready to bet on our technology. Therefore we’ve been able to establish a start-up company, ‘Glass to Power’, with the objective of industrializing the product very soon”.
A concentration prototype illuminated by an ultraviolet lamp. The light absorbed is re-emitted and guided to the edges of the device where it will be converted into electricity by small conventional photovoltaic cells Professor Francesco Meinardi, Materials Physics teacher, and Professor Sergio Brovelli, Experimental Physics teacher, University of MilanBicocca
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The active window takes the prize
The design and development of patented LSC technology at the University of Milan-Bicocca is the result of the combined effort of two Italian researchers. Professor Francesco Meinardi, with over fifteen years of experience in the study of plastics, and Professor Sergio Brovelli, an expert on colloidal quantum dots, synergized their completely complementary skills. Together, the two decided to produce luminescent solar concentrators that, rather than just laboratory prototypes, can actually be functional products. How light absorption works The main obstacle to widespread use and commercialization of this technology is the problem of light absorption. “With the help of energized semiconductor nanoparticles, we’ve been able to uncouple the process of light absorption and emission”, explains Francesco Meinardi. “Now we have chromophores that absorb most of the solar light and re-emit it at a different wavelength, so the light can travel within the glass sheet for tens of centimeters, reaching the edge where small photovoltaic cells are installed that convert it into electrical energy”. Triple-pane glass and its benefits The finished device created by the two researchers consists of a triple-pane window with two conventional external panes, having no special function, and a plastic central panel in polymethylmethacrylate in which the optically active nanopar-
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ticles are dispersed. What are the main benefits of this R&D100 Awards 2016 Special Recognition Award-winning technology? “Considering that silicon panels can’t be used for windows“, concludes the Professor, “research groups in many companies are racing to obtain a transparent device using a wide variety of technologies. These technologies, however, all have significant aesthetic drawbacks. They use, for example, colored panels or solutions requiring the presence of metal electrodes or mapping out of transparent zones which make their resulting product unattractive. In our case, on the other hand, the windows are just a little darker than normal and therefore have no significant impact on the quality of the environments in which they’re installed, proving to be readily accepted by the end user”.
From laboratory prototype to photovoltaic window to the energy selfsufficient skyscraper. The south facade of a skyscraper like the Shard of London, if constructed with photovoltaic windows, could generate all the energy needed to power over 100 apartments N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
Luminescent Solar Concentrators with the goal of overcoming the limits that prevented their widespread use for over forty years”.
A completely integrable system “These devices - continues professor Meinardi - are photovoltaic systems based on semitransparent panels that can be used to make windows or glass walls and can be completely integrated into a building without compromising its appearance”. “So we transform the completely passive conventional window into an active window which produces electrical
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67 energy as well as performing the primary role of insulation. These photovoltaic devices are ideal for situations in which a conventional silicon panel cannot be used or is simply insufficient. In fact, silicon remains an economical, long-lasting option perfect for small independent structures, but it’s not suited for highly urbanized areas with tall buildings. In these cases we have large cubic volumes with small roof surfaces that can be used for conventional systems. These buildings do, however, have large glass-covered surfaces which, if used appropriately for the production of ‘green’ electricity, could make the building completely energy independent”.
Cross-section of a finished triple-pane insulating glass unit: the central sheet is composed of a luminescent solar concentrator that adds energy production capacities to conventional insulation properties
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Case Study WARM GLASS
Renowned Wonderfall Chalet chooses Nsg TecTM windows for warmth ARTICLE
Chiara Marseglia PHOTOS
Nsg Group, Warm Glass and Wonderfall Chalet
“I
n 2012 we were contacted by the management of the Wonderfall Chalet in Limone Piemonte (northern Italy) because they wanted to improve the comfort level in some rooms, while keeping the aesthetic appearance intact�. Thus began the partnership between the beautiful privately-owned chalet set in the scenic Maritime Alps and Warm Glass, one of the few companies in Europe specialized in the production of completely transparent heated windows and radiant glass panels and partner the Nsg Group, global leader in the
The partnership with Warm Glass began in 2012, but further work increased the comfort level of the entire building
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69 production of glass and glazing systems for Âarchitectural use, the automotive industry and the technical glass sector which, in 2006, acquired the historic Pilkington Plc brand, global leader in its own right in the glass sector and inventor of the float glass process.
The problem and how it was fixed The management of the Wonderfall Chalet realized that, despite the fact that the windows were made of dual-glazed insulating glass units (DGU), their customers complained that the currents created by the cold surfaces of the windows negatively influenced their wellbeing and worsened the climate in the rooms.
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Insulating glass: in detail
Thermal comfort, and more The thermal comfort in a room equipped with heated insulating glass is superior to that of a room with traditional insulating glass. The convectional flows that are created on the cold surfaces of windows reduce the comfort level of the interior environment. When the surface of the interior pane of a window has the same temperature as the air inside the room, convectional flow is eliminated. This is especially beneficial for those who suffer from asthma and/or dust allergies. Condensation effect During the coldest months of the year, when temperatures really drop, the surface temperature of the interior pane of insulating glass can fall below the dew point. In such a situation, the humidity present in the air begins to condense and water runs down the glass. In small quantities, the condensate can
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cause damage, primarily to the structural integrity of the IG unit and to the glass, shortening its lifetime. If condensation forms in greater quantities and penetrates into the framing around the windows or into the walls themselves, mold and fungus can proliferate. This deteriorates the indoor air quality and leads to major repair costs. The temperature of the interior pane of heated insulating glass with a good Ug value (Ug < 1.0W/m²K), with power density of approx. 50 W/m², remains at the same temperature of the ambient air in the room (approx. 20°C). No condensation forms, even when the external temperature drops to -35°C.
The technical staff at Warm Glass decided the solution would be to install triple-glazed (TGU) IG units with a Ug value of 0.7W/m²K. The results achieved both in terms of comfort level and aesthetics were evident immediately and appreciated by the chalet owners and their guests.
The partnership continues Encouraged by this positive experience, in 2013 the Wonderfall Chalet requested that electrically heated insulating glass be installed in other rooms. “Additional work was commissioned in 2016 to replace some old and inefficient electric wall radiators with extra clear radiant glass panels that, in addition to blending perfectly with the interior décor of the rooms, made it possible once again to satisfy the client’s expectations”.
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Technical Data Sheet
NSG TEC™
The glass for all special applications
N
sg Tec™ (Transparent Electrically Conductive Glass) is the glass the better proves the versatility of this material. Consisting of a series of thin films of metal oxides deposited on a clear glass substrate (or extra clear) through a pyrolytic on-line process, Nsg Tec™ is a glass with a neutral appearance, with a low-emissivity coating (up to 0.10), and - above all - it is an electrically conductive glass, with a variable surface resistivity from 6-8 Ω /sq up to 5000 Ω /sq depending on the thickness of the coating. Such characteristics determine its usefulness in many different fields of applications: from building to photovoltaic panels, from oven doors to commercial refrigeration, from touch screens to many and many others.
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73 Commercial refrigeration As it is an electrically conductive glass with a low-emissivity coating, Nsg Tec™ can be used in the refrigerator aisles to support the thermal insulation of the space to be cooled and to avoid the creation of condensation on the glass, thanks to the possibility to heat it electrically. Indeed, in case of high v alues of humidity and big differences in temperature between the external e nvironment and the refrigerated one (fridge box with temperatures below 0° C), it is possible to use heated units, that provide energy to the sheet to prevent the creation of condensation and to improve the visibility of the products inside refrigerators and refrigerated cabinets. Moreover, installing a double-glazing glass, you can get excellent thermal transmittance values, with consequent reduction of energy dispersion and consumption.
Photovoltaics field The Nsg Tec™ glass range with transparent conductive oxide coatings on glass substrate is also used in the thin-film photovoltaics field. In this case, the Nsg Tec™ Glass acts by facilitating the light transmission through the cell and collection of the photoelectric power generated. The electrical resistivity of the glass and its roughness are selected on the basis of the type of photovoltaic cell (amorphous silicon, CdTe, etc.).
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Oven doors The low emissive properties of Nsg Tec™ also allow its usage for electrical appliances at home, for example for the doors of ovens and for insulating the oven from the outside environment. The low-emissivity coating of the glass protects the user from the risk of burning, thanks to the thermal insulation which reduces the temperature of the oven’s door and assures the transparency of the glass (and so the visibility of the inside) through the excellent coating neutrality. Finally, another remarkable characteristic: the reduction of energy consumption obtained through thermal insulation, and therefore the reduction of heat dispersion in the kitchen. Toughenable and easily printable, this glass is also suitable for modern and innovative design.
Building field Restaurants, residences, houses in general, particularly when located in cold climates, can improve their level of comfort using Nsg Tec™ Glass. In fact, it can be used with an “integrated heating function” in the window, as the conductive coating enables you to heat the outer plate of the glass, in order to remove ice and snow, or to heat the inner side so as to make the domestic environment warmer. Taking advantage of the Nsg Tec™ Glass electrical conductivity, you can create radiating elements, completely transparent, that aesthetically appear as ordinary insulating glazing. Electrically powered, they spread the heat throughout the room integrating the existing heating system or even becoming a source of primary heating for the building. The main advantages in this field are the elimination of cold wall, the clarity and transparency of the glass and finally the elimination of condensation.
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75 Other applications The Nsg Tec™ range also finds application in the following industries: • Digital Signage, especially for resistive and capacitive touch screens, where a transparent conductive coating is required; • industrial transportation (military, marine, rail, etc.), where the heating capacity of the conductive coating is exploited for removing ice and snow from the glass surfaces of the means of transport; • the screening panels (EMI/RFI), for example in the military sector, which exploit the reduced transmittance to electromagnetic radiation of Nsg Tec™; in this way the interference of signals or signal losses due to the influence of external means of communication radar type are eliminated; • electrochromic panels; • for the production of radiant panels, transparent or screen-printed radiators and for the production of bathroom heated mirrors with anti-condensation function.
For further information please visit www.pilkington.it N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
Innovative Ideas
ECKERSLEY O’CALLAGHAN
Vidre Slide, the first fully functional slide made entirely of glass COURTESY OF
Sophie Lewis, Stratton & Reekie, London PHOTOS
EOC - Eckersley O’Callaghan
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round the world innovative structures are pushing the boundaries of glass like never before, from massive glass bridges in China to a transparent slide at the top of a skyscraper in Los Angeles. At the GLASSTEC 2016 show in Düsseldorf, structural engineers Eckersley O’Callaghan and glass manufacturer Cricursa have unveiled Vidre-Slide, a 9-m etre-long glass slide which has pushed the boundaries even f urther. Lisa Rammig, Associate at Eckersley O’Callaghan, said: “ VIDRE-SLIDE exemplifies the collaborative APPROACH
The slide was unveiled at the international trade fair Glasstec 76 N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
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The Vidre-Slide consists of two long glass elements, propped against each other and held together at their base by a simple steel structure. The 4-metre-high slide maximises its transparency by utilising long tightly-curved glass and minimal adhesive bonds. The primary CONNECTIONS, ensuring the overall stability of the structure, are achieved with structural silicone which allows the structure to be held together without the use of mechanical fixings. The glass TREADS are fused to the curved glass surface using the crystal clear silicone adhesive, creating an almost invisible bonding. The hardened glass HALF CYLINDERS are 450 mm in radius and strong enough to hold the weight of a person climbing up the ladder and sliding down. The secret to the slide’s strength lies in the curved form of the glass which is also pivotal in achieving the structure’s long spans.
N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
Technical details
About Eckersley O’Callaghan
Eckersley O’Callaghan (EOC) is an award-winning engineering design practice. Since founding in 2004, by Brian Eckersley and James O’Callaghan, EOC has grown to over 75 strong with offices in London, New York, Paris, S hanghai and San Francisco. EOC works on a diverse range of extraordinary building projects in the UK and across the world, ranging from conventional structures in timber, steel and concrete, through facades and bespoke glass structures to specialist marine design. The practice has established an international reputation for CREATIVE, yet rigorous, approach to engineering structures. Its engagement with architecture and industry underpins its pioneering use of materials to realise projects of exceptional quality, efficiency, and elegance. This is exemplified by its innovative work in structural glass for Apple’s flagship stores around the world over the past decade. Eckersley O’Callaghan was winner of the ISTRUCTE SUPREME AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE in Structural E ngineering 2014 and Engineering Consultancy of the Year 2015 CONSTRUCTION NEWS AWARDS.
BETWEEN ENGINEERS AND FABRICATORS, testing the practical application of emerging glass technologies for tomorrow’s structures. This is one of the ways in which we contribute to pushing the industry forwards”.
78 N. 41 DECEMBER 2016
N. 41
Dicembre 2016 ISSN 2421-3586
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GIMAV BILANCIO 2016 Un anno dinamico con un’intensa attività di rappresentanza
INDUSTRY 4.0
Bimonthly magazine Year 3 Number 41 Thursday December 15, 2016
Collaborating in this issue Adelio Lattuada
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ADI
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Bottero
NSG Group - Pilkington www.pilkington.com
O. M. Schiatti Angelo
Easyfrontier
Officine Mistrello
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Elettromeccanica Bovone
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Olivotto Glass Technologies www.olivotto.it
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Fenzi South America
Triulzi - TC Special Equipments
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Forel
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University of Milan-Bicocca
Intermac Macotec
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Intermac - Il futuro del vetro nella realtà aumentata
MATTIA LOSI
Editorial Manager CHIARA MARSEGLIA Contributors FILIPPO BORDIGNON ANTONELLA LANFRIT CAMILLA ZANETTI Graphic Design and Art Direction NICO CHINELLO Translations NICOLETTA CANESI Pictures Cover Fotolia; Depositphotos, Fotolia Owner Vitrum Srl - Via Petitti 16, 20149 Milano Publisher
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Eckersley O’Callaghan
FOTOVOLTAICO Premiate le finestre fotovoltaiche dell’Università Milano-Bicocca ai R&D100 Awards 2016
Mappi International
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Una nuova fase per l’economia
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March 2016 ISSN 2421-3586
MADE IN ITALY Ultra-thin: Italy raises the bar Supplementary assistance: a recipe ready for export
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VITRUM 2017 PREVIEW Work under way on 20th edition of the International Trade Show in Milan
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Vertical Forest - “Higher and higher”
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