AGC Flat Glass Europe Chooses Zeebrugge To Launch A World First In Mirrors

Date: 23 November 2007
Source: AGC Flat Glass
AGC Flat Glass Europe (formerly Glaverbel)a world first with its 3rd generation ecological mirror glass: Mirox 3G. This innovation is the summit of 30 years of experience and worldwide leadership in mirrors for the plant in Zeebrugge (Belgium).

Experience that goes well beyond what is reflected in the mirror!



Unique mirror glass: ecological and antibacterial

AGC Flat Glass Europe unique Mirox 3G is the product of continuous, advanced research in mirror technology. As such it is the first mirror glass to meet the requirements of the European Union’s RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive. This directive is aimed at reducing the amounts of hazardous substances (such as lead) used in industrial production processes. Thanks to a patented process, AGC Flat Glass Europe will soon be the only company whose entire output of mirrors is RoHS-compliant, guaranteeing the same high quality in all its production units.



The total absence of formaldehyde, copper and lead makes this mirror glass the most ecological in the world. It also offers higher quality, with greater resistance to scratches, corrosion, humidity and chemical attack by cleaning products.



Mirox 3G can also be treated according to AGC’s latest invention, the antibacterial glass introduced in September this year. The presence of silver ions in the top layers of the glass eliminates 99.9% of bacteria that come in contact with the surface. This gives the 3G mirror glass an important role to play in all places were hygiene is of particular importance (hospitals, hotels, sports complexes etc.).



Zeebrugge: 30 years of worldwide experience in mirrors

Ever since it began producing mirror glass in 1977, the Zeebrugge plant has never ceased to innovate and develop, becoming not only a producer of high-quality mirrors exported all over the world but also a pioneer in mirror technology, with a major advance of strategic importance every 10 years or so. In 1987, at this site the company built the largest, most modern production line in the world, with mirror glass being produced in large sheets measuring 6 metres by 3.21 metres. In 1997 the Zeebrugge plant presented two innovations: ecological mirror glass (second generation) and varnished glass. This new type of mirror glass, Mirox New Generation Ecological, was the first to be made without copper in the production process, as well has having a drastically reduced lead content. And with its Lacobel varnished glass the company turned resolutely towards a new product that is still highly regarded for interior decoration uses. And now at last, in 2007, it has introduced the most environment-friendly mirror in the world.



As the originator of the mirror technology, Zeebrugge naturally provides support with development of mirrors elsewhere within the group, in its plants in the Czech Republic, Russia, Italy and Spain.



“We owe this world first with Mirox 3G to the 30 years of experience built up in this field by the Zeebrugge plant, and by its close collaboration with our R&D Centre. The efforts of our teams have recently been rewarded with the Belgian Prize for the Environment, thus providing yet a further guarantee for our customers,” declared Jean-François Heris, President & CEO of AGC Flat Glass Europe.

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