sain t-gobain annu al report 2008 annual report

Solar control glass also helps to reduce energy consumption
in air-conditioned buildings. Over the past twenty years,
Saint-Gobain has achieved a sixfold increase in the energy
efficiency of its flat glass products, thanks to a significant
investment in Research and Development. A study by the Glass
for Europe association suggests that replacing every window
in the 27-member European Union with advanced, low-E
double glazing would cut CO 2 emissions by up to 90 million
tons annually – equivalent to one third of the European
Union’s building CO 2 emissions target. CO 2 emissions
from Europe’s flat glass industry, representing 4.6 million tons
of CO 2 annually, would be more than offset by the potential
savings obtained by systematically replacing thermally
inefficient glazing with the latest-generation high-efficiency
double glazing. Low-E triple glazing provides 12 times more
insulation than a single pane of glass and allows more
sunlight to pass through than double-glazing
with enhanced thermal insulation.
CONSTRUCTION OF TEN
COMFORT HOUSES IN DENMARK
On September 24, 2008, as part of the Komfort Husene
project launched by Isover, the Danish Minister
for Climate and Energy, Connie Hedegaard, unveiled
ten newly built Comfort Houses located in Skibet,
Denmark. Over 200 construction product manufacturers
and building contractors took part in designing
and building these highly energy-efficient homes.
Insulation issues are directly linked to air quality.
The Innovative Materials Sector - High-Performance Materials
has developed a photocatalytic air purification filter that
destroys organic matter to remove odors, smoke, viruses,
bacteria and other nuisances. Based on technology similar
to that used for Bioclean self-cleaning glass, the new quartz
filter supplements existing filtration technology
and has proven highly effective in purifying indoor air.
Innovative products for reducing
our reliance on fossil fuel
Energy savings can also be achieved in indoor lighting,
and Saint-Gobain is actively involved in developing lighting
systems that use light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Commonly
used in display applications, they are likely to replace
traditional incandescent bulbs over time, since they consume
five times less electricity, last a hundred times longer
and offer a spectrum similar to daylight. The Crystals unit
of the Innovative Materials Sector – High-Performance
Materials is currently a market leader in high-quality sapphire
substrates for LEDs, and the Innovative Materials Sector - Flat
Glass is working with the Australian startup BluGlass
to develop low-cost glass substrates for LEDs.
Solid oxide fuel cells use stacked functional-ceramic layers
that convert chemical energy directly into electrical and heat
energy. By combining electricity generation and heat recovery
(i.e., combined heat and power, or CHP), such systems can
achieve energy output of around 80%, compared to 30%
to 40% for traditional fuel-cell technology and present-day
gas- and coal-fired power plants. As it emerges from
the prototype stage, solid oxide fuel cell technology is
expected to expand rapidly in the coming years. Saint-Gobain
is actively involved in this process, researching ceramic core
design from raw materials to assembly. Backed by its Research
and Development teams, the Group is preparing fuel cells
for use with domestic hot water applications.
The cast-iron pipes manufactured by Saint-Gobain PAM
are being used to create underground heat exchangers.
With this technology, an initial supply of fresh air enters pipes
that are buried one to two meters underground.
The air passing through these pipes is transferred
to the surrounding soil. As a result, the air entering the home
is heated in winter and cooled in summer, thereby reducing
heating and air conditioning needs.
Promoting renewable energy
Through several of our product lines and Research and
Development projects, we are promoting alternatives to fossil
fuels and, in particular, helping to drive rapid growth in
renewable energy. In the summer of 2006, we opened our first
renewable energy retail outlet, Greenworks, in the UK, where
more store openings are scheduled to take place soon.
In addition, several Group banners are expanding their range
of energy solutions. For example, Point.P’s specialized network
of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
professionals has become a leading French provider
of photovoltaic systems, solar water heaters, heat pumps,
condensing boilers and other equipment that harness
renewable energy. The network supports growth in
this product area through targeted service offerings
and a vigorous nationwide promotional campaign.
MANAGEMENT REPORT
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Saint-Gobain - 2008 Annual Report