Integrating green in glass

“Asahi has pioneered innovations in glass processing technology to develop products that feature the best ‘green’ parameters,” says Somasundaram Senthilkumar, Business Head – Projects (Architectural Division), Asahi India Glass Ltd. (AIS)
Asahi India Glass, as India’s one of the leading integrated glass companies, has been at the forefront of promoting eco-friendly future. Its energy-efficient glass ranges reduce the heat gain in buildings due to its excellent energy-saving properties without compromising on the natural light. In an interview with ACE Update, Somasundaram Senthilkumar shares how Asahi is working hard to ensure a better quality of life for residents and help conserve the environment.
Role in green buildingsAsahi’s product development team has been continuously coming up with a range of innovative high-end energy-efficient architectural glasses.
AIS conducts studies at each site to assist the customers in glass selection. The AIS 4G solutions include glass selection, glass product, glass processing and glass integration. The technical team of AIS conducts building simulations to help architects and consultants decide the design strategies, improve energy efficiency, select the right building material and reduce the construction costs.
Asahi has also been regularly participating in various events and conferences primarily on innovative architecture and green buildings. It also organises customer meets across the country for architects, fabricators and retailers to educate them about the green buildings, roles that glass plays in green buildings, safety issues related to architectural glass and so forth.
Essential products for green buildingsAIS has been at the forefront of this move towards an eco-friendly future. It has pioneered innovations in glass processing technology to develop products that feature the best ‘green’ parameters. AIS manufactures both single-glazed and double-glazed products allowing architects greater choice and the ability to explore newer possibilities. These solutions enhance the aesthetics and efficiency of commercial and residential spaces, and present builders with viable, attractive and economical alternative to traditional building materials.
Its energy-efficient glass ranges, under the brand name of Ecosense, reduce the heat gain in buildings due to its excellent energy-saving properties without compromising on the natural light or the brilliant aesthetics that add value to the façade. And in winter, they ensure solar gain so that no matter what the season, people inside stay comfortable at all times. Using energy-efficient glass also helps in ensuring that the interiors and the occupants of the home feel more comfortable.
Ecosense comes in three ranges: enhance (solar control), exceed (solar control low-e) and essence (low-e) high-performance glasses. Ideal for solar and thermal insulating parameters, Ecosense combines aesthetics with environmental sensibility and conforms to all international and national green standards, making it the natural choice as a green building solution. Ecosense performance parameters like visual light transmission, solar factor, U-Value and internal reflection make buildings more efficient and ecologically viable.
Energy-efficient glasses, when used properly can reduce the total energy consumption by anywhere between 8-10 per cent of the total energy consumed and hence the accrued benefits of using these glasses keep growing over the years.
Trends and opportunitiesIn recent times, the idea of green buildings has gained momentum. Builders, developers and architects are increasingly looking to make use of green materials like glass to add a new dimension to their buildings. Awareness of environmental impact of increased construction activity has recently been on the agenda of the governmental. It is widely expected that building code changes are in pipeline in order to adhere to these concerns. Construction houses are striving to obtain sustainability certifications to ensure a better quality of life for residents and help conserve the environment.

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