VITRUM ENERGIA - Artenergy Publishing

26
business news
PILKINGTON
Australian automotive glass plant reopens
Australia’s only automotive glass manufacturing
facility in Geelong, the former Pilkington
plant, has been reopened. According to industry minister
Senator Kim Carr, the reopening of the plant demonstrates
the power of partnerships between industry and
government.
“This reopening is not just great news for the working
families of Geelong, but for our resilient and innovative
automotive industry,” Senator Carr said.
“Not only have 68 automotive jobs and critical industrial
capacity been preserved, but we have even succeeded
in securing new investment.”
“This is a credit to all concerned, and especially to the
new owners, MHG. The company has demonstrated great
courage and vision in the hardest of economic times.”
“The reopening has been assisted by AUD 4.5 million
from the Automotive Industry Structural
Adjustment Program, part of the Rudd Government’s
New Car Plan for a Greener Future.”
“The announcement comes at a time when automotive
manufacturers worldwide are seeking to trim their
balance sheets in the aftermath of the worst global recession
in a generation.”
“MHG’s acquisition of the Geelong plant is an
important example of the supply chain consolidation we
need, and a great gesture of faith in Australia’s automotive
future.”
“Rationalization is never easy, but it is absolutely
essential if the supply chain is to keep winning business
locally and internationally.”
“We have made it work in glass manufacturing, and
we can make it work in other areas as well.”
GHAZVIN GLASS
float production starts up
Iran’s leading glassmaker GGC (Ghazvin
Glass Co.), has announced that its new plant,
located 200 km west of Tehran in a 50-hectare area,
became operational in December 2009.
The plant uses Pilkington technology and supervision,
and will have an annual capacity of 180,000 tons
of 1.8-19mm thick glass.
Once fully operational, the plant will enable GGC to
export mirror and automotive quality float glass to the
neighbouring region.
Glass-Technology International 2/2010
w w w . g l a s s o n l i n e . c o m
“This announcement also demonstrates the close
working relationship between Federal and Victorian
Governments, and their role in minimizing the impact
of the financial crisis on business and families.”
“The Rudd Government will continue to work in
partnership to transform automotive manufacturing and
support high-wage, high skill jobs in Geelong and
across the country,” Carr said.
Collaboration with Dyesol
Ohio-based Pilkington North America has announced
that it will start collaboration with Dyesol Inc. for the
development of opportunities in the building integrated
photovoltaics (BIPV) marketplace utilizing Pilkington’s
TEC series of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) coated
float glass and Dyesol’s dye solar cell (DSC) materials
and technology.
“Pilkington believes it is time to begin developing the
next generation of photovoltaic power,” says Stephen
Weidner, senior vice president of building products for
North America. “BIPV is an emerging market segment
with great opportunity for utilizing our TCO technology
to bring photovoltaic power into building design.”
“The collaboration with Dyesol has the potential to
bring a significant change in the value of architectural
glass as we know it today. No longer will glass be viewed
solely for its insulation and aesthetic properties, but for
its power generating potential as well,” Weidner adds.
“Pilkington is the world leader in the production of
TCO glass. In fact, Dyesol and their customers have
been utilizing Pilkington’s TEC product for many
years. This collaboration presents an ideal platform for
co-developing and optimizing products that work
together to improve DSC performance,” says Marc M.
Thomas, chief executive officer of Dyesol Inc. “With
25% of all electrical energy consumed in the US used
in the built environment, the market opportunity is
enormous.”
Dr. Gavin Tulloch, the global managing director,
chief technology officer and co-founder of Dyesol Ltd.,
comments, “DSC technology can best be described as
‘artificial photosynthesis’ using an electrolyte, a layer of
titania (a pigment used in white paints and toothpaste)
and ruthenium dye deposited on transparent conductive
oxide glass, metal or polymer substrates. Light striking
the dye excites electrons which are absorbed by the titania
to become an electric current many times stronger
than that found in natural photosynthesis in plants.
Dyesol’s technology has lower cost and embodied energy
in manufacture, produces electricity more efficiently
even in low light conditions and can be directly incorporated
into buildings by replacing conventional glass.”