Ritec to Raise Real Issues at GPD07

Ritec will raise real issues at GPD07 in Tampere, Finland, 15-18 June, concerning architectural and automotive glass. The focus will be on processors and fabricators supplying glass without providing, or even offering, durable surface protection... 

Whether they realise it or not, by supplying unprotected glass such companies are causing difficulties for many people, and they are missing new business opportunities for themselves and their distributors or customers.

Stephen Byers, Ritec’s Chairman and Managing Director, will present two papers at GPD07 asking why any glass should be neglected and not given the protection needed to maintain its original clarity, visibility and cleanliness – instead of becoming high-maintenance and difficult, if not impossible, to clean.  Stephen is the team leader of Ritec’s pioneering efforts in glass surface protection that began in 1981. 

The two papers, "After a Quarter of a Century – What is Next for Architectural Glass Surface Protection?" and “The Need for Automotive Glass Surface Protection", emphasise that glass is a marvellous substance with advantages against other materials of construction.  However, like most other materials including metals and concrete, glass does not have a built-in defence system for resistance to attack by enemies that cause surface corrosion.  Glass without protection can quickly and easily suffer surface corrosion.

For architectural glass, exposure to its enemies makes glass without durable surface protection a high maintenance material of construction - costing time, effort and money for everyone involved, including the building designer or specifier, owner, general contractor, installer, facility  manager and occupants.  Unprotected glass causes complaints, delays in construction, costly glass replacement and higher maintenance costs.  Furthermore, the glass may fail to meet performance standards, such as light transmittance, soon after the date of supply.

For automotive glass, the risks are to the driver, passengers, other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.  With exposure to its enemies, unprotected glass becomes increasingly difficult to clean and keep clean – losing its original showroom “sparkle" and becoming more and more difficult to see through, causing threats to road safety.

In addition to the two papers, Ritec International, in cooperation with Bohle ClearShield, European marketing partner, will be at stand number 18 in the exhibition hall. Attendees are invited to the stand to see and discuss the benefits of glass surface protection and the ClearShield System for glass renovation, protection and maintenance. 

Stephen Byers says, “Ritec is delighted to be playing such a key role at GPD07, which attracts major players and decision makers of the glass industry worldwide.  We see this as a great opportunity to increase awareness of the need for glass surface protection and its benefits.  Durable glass surface protection greatly reduces or eliminates the problems caused by unprotected glass.  For glass and glazing companies, this creates new business opportunities with higher sales and profits."