This year the opening speech will be delivered by Arthur Ulens, CEO of Glaverbel, who will be setting the tune for the conference with his presentation on Shifting Markets Appealing for Innovative Glass Products.
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As an independent forum dedicated to developing the global glass industry, GPD examines case studies focusing on business operations, products and processes.
One presentation aimed at glass processors in particular will be given by Denis Ramboux, Glaverbel Product Manager Float and Coatings, on 'the coating revolution'.
The last decade has seen the development of hard and soft coatings that provide efficient solutions in terms of selectivity, solar control and - more recently - neutral appearance. The most recent challenge is to increase the processability of vacuum-coated glasses. Hence the recent launch of locally temperable soft coated glasses. Though only applicable at present to low-E applications, there is no doubt that this type of solution will become the standard for all applications in the years to come. Mr Ramboux's presentation will focus on current products and trends as well as future possibilities.
In a more technical vein, a special session devoted to safety glass processing case studies will be hosted by Guy Van Marcke, Glaverbel Environment and Standardisation Manager, on the properties of thermally toughened glass and the EN 12600 standard on mechanical properties. Together with the GEPVP (European Group of Flat Glass Manufacturers), Mr Van Marcke will also present a workshop on the theory and practice of the CE marking.
A workshop on New Product Developments and Applications and the Coating Day will be chaired respectively by Alain Jardinet, Glaverbel Marketing Manager Raw Glass, and Enrico Ceriani, Glaverbel International Building Project Manager.
Glass Processing Days - The opening speech will be delivered by Arthur Ulens, CEO of Glaverbel
Traditionally the keynote speakers have been visionaries in the industry. They have tended to focus on new ideas, trends and subjects for the glass industry as a whole.