Sustainability comes to the fore at Glasstech Asia with Glass for Europe’s input

For the first time after several years of COVID, Glasstech Asia reconvened in Singapore from 26 to 28 October. Alongside the fair gathering hundreds of actors of the South-East Asian industry and the 2022 International Year of Glass celebrations by the Singapore glass association, the 2022 Asia Façade and Glass Conference was organised. Its main theme was sustainability, both in the industry and in architecture and buildings.

Glass for Europe was called upon to address these topics and explain the European vision and work in the field, considering the leading role of Europe’s industry in this regard. Glass for Europe’s Secretary General, Bertrand Cazes, made a presentation on the 2050 vision of the flat glass industry in a climate neutral Europe and how this vision supports the industry’s sustainability efforts to keep glass as material of first choice for the design of genuinely sustainable buildings.

Bertrand also moderated an exciting panel discussion with Glenn Carlton from Guardian Glass, Jayrold Bautista from DOW and Johannes Kreissig from the German Sustainable Building Council, on how to enhance sustainability considerations in the design and construction of facades is South-East Asia. Reflecting on the German experience and the realities of the South-East-Asian markets, the panel touched upon the importance of raising awareness on whole life-cycle carbon assessment, of product transparency and verified environmental declarations and of safeguarding affordability. The panel discussion concluded that sustainable buildings ought to be breathable buildings both for the planet and for their occupants that are achievable and scalable worldwide.

The event also offered the opportunity to meet with with Mr Gan Pay Yap, Chairman of Singapore Glass Association, and enlarge Glass for Europe’s network building new ties with representatives of Glass associations from Vietnam, Indonesia and Malesia.