Sustainability
Creating glass for the future
� Sisecam headquarters in Istanbul’s Tuzla disctrict.
Dr Ilkay Sökmen* provides an overview of Sisecam’s recent developments in areas such as medicine, agriculture, automotive and antibacterial glassware, with a focus on sustainability. colour was developed with R&D studies and transferred to production. We introduced the transparent and bubblefree recycled glassware to the market (Aware Collection) for the first time.” Dr Sökmen pointed out that glass is an ideal substrate to add many different functions to its surface without sacrificing its unique properties and explained V-Block antimicrobial coating technology: “V-Block Technology, which was developed with the aim of preventing the growth and spread of microorganisms on glassware, neutralises virus and bacteria. “Combining the purity of glass with hygiene, V-Block puts health first without sacrificing the transparency of glass and has the feature of being the world’s first antimicrobial glassware product. “The coating is a nanoscale, optically transparent thin film with a noniridescent appearance and holds the most effective form of copper in a matrix to reduce harmful microorganisms. The copper substance in the formulation is an ECHA registered active substance. It is applied to the hot glass surface with chemical vapour deposition technology and the surface has a nanoscale roughness that prevents microorganisms from adhering to the surface. It also does not
� Dr Sökmen at the IYOG Opening Ceremony at the Palace of Nations in Geneva.
require any light activation and is a nonleaching antimicrobial coating.” She outlined that glass is a key element used primarily as a facade material for architecture, and has become an important insulation material in buildings, not only in terms of transparency and aesthetic appearance, but also in terms of energy savings. She emphasised that by using the modern technologies, Sisecam can offer various coated glass products with different and high optical performances, which provide effective energy savings with heat and solar control features. “Glass has an important place in all transportation vehicles with applications such as heat and solar-controlled windshields with defrosting feature, heatable rear windows, and roof windows that can change colour with electric current and so on. Continued>>
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he International Year of Glass 2022, declared by the United Nations, was launched on February 9th with the opening event held at the United Nations building in Geneva. Sisecam was among the main sponsors of the three-day long opening event. During the conference Dr Sökmen gave a speech in which she stated that Sisecam considers sustainability as the focal point of its activities. The company attaches great importance to developing products, with the vision of leaving a better world to future generations in line with its Care For Next sustainability approach. Dr Sökmen also discussed products developed by Sisecam scientists. Dr Sökmen started her speech by stressing that glass is distinguished from other materials with its complete and infinite recyclability without compromising its quality and purity. She said: “Sisecam produces 100% recycled glassware from glass that has been used at least once, resulting in 38% reduction in CO2 emissions and 31% energy savings compared to the production using 25% cullet. A change in consumer perception was achieved in both the glass colour and appearance of this product. The Bosphorus Turquoise
35 Glass International April 2022
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25/04/2022 11:24:45
