Glass for Europe visits company that specialises in designing bird-friendly solutions

Glass for Europe visits company that specialises in designing bird-friendly solutions
Photo source
Glass for Europe

Date: 29 April 2024

On 25 April, the Glass for Europe secretariat visited Orion Laser Tech to learn about their technology for bird-friendly glass production.

On 25 April, the Glass for Europe secretariat visited the offices of Orion Laser Tech, a company that develops machinery with a focus on lasering of glass, for instance to create bird-friendly markings to reduce fatalities and protect biodiversity.

If the scale of the problem remains mostly unknown due to limited data availability, it is often estimated that millions of birds die each year in Europe as a result of collisions with glass surfaces. An issue which could be further worsened due to the expansion of cities and buildings, as well as the increased pressure on bird ecosystems. This issue has recently gained in visibility however the glass and glazing industry has been proactively developing solutions for years.

Given that birds, like humans, orient themselves visually, they need to judge where they are flying. The transparency and reflective properties of glass can therefore be a hazard to birds, either because they are unable to recognise glass as a solid object, or because they are misled by reflections from a known environment (such as trees or bushes). This situation can be prevented by making glass more visible to birds for instance by marking it with patterns. Laser-engraving technology is just one of the many solutions for marking glass to reduce collisions.

It is important to note that research in this area is progressing rapidly. The flat glass and glazing industry is investing in research and development and working with ornithologists to continue to develop highly effective products without altering the visual, thermal and solar control properties of the glass. Glass for Europe will pursue its work to understand and convey the industry’s efforts to protect wildlife.

600450 Glass for Europe visits company that specialises in designing bird-friendly solutions glassonweb.com

Others also read

Two hands-on learning experiences will be offered during the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Fall Conference, taking place October 6-9 in Indianapolis, IN.
Optional events geared toward networking will take place throughout the FGIA Fall Conference, taking place October 6-9 in Indianapolis, IN.
Certification opportunities take center stage at GlassBuild America 2025 as NGA and AGMCC once again bring hands-on AGMT testing to the show floor.
At the upcoming FGIA Fall Conference, industry members will once again come together to make a difference—filling 200 backpacks with school supplies for children in need in Indianapolis.
Balancing daylight and design with bird safety is a growing challenge in modern architecture.
Get ready for the biggest GlassBuild America yet — packed with exhibits, education, and networking from November 4–6 in Orlando!

Add new comment

From industry

NEWS RELATED PRODUCTS

Glas Trösch Holding AG
Qingdao REXI Industries Co., Ltd