Clean, cool and tough

Pilkington UK has launched a new toughenable dual coated glass, with self-cleaning, solar control and thermal insulation properties to meet strong demand for multi-functional glazing solutions.

Pilkington ActivSuncool Pro T, an extension to the Pilkington ActivSuncool range, introduces a new toughenable solution that can provide additional safety and mechanical strength performance to the glass.

The new product helps glazing to stay clean while transmitting less of the sun’s energy into buildings ensuring a more comfortable environment all year round. It’s a high-performance solution particularly well-suited to atriums, facades and glass roofs in commercial buildings – areas that can be difficult to reach for cleaning and can contribute to overheating. It’s also a low-emissivity product with a Ug value of just 1.0W/m2K.

Two levels of solar control performance will be available at 61/34 and 45/27. The former, for example, allows 61% light transmittance and only 34% of the sun’s energy, which can help to reduce the need for air conditioning and operating costs. The glass will be manufactured in thicknesses of 6mm and 8mm, in jumbo sizes of 5,100 mm and 6,000 mm to cater for domestic customers and the growing export market.

Its self-cleaning element, Pilkington Activ, uses a dual-action microscopic coating that was independently verified in 2017 as the first product to meet the new European Standard for self-cleaning glass.

Pilkington ActivSuncoolPro T refers to the product in its original, pre-toughened form. The product must be toughened in order to realise its performance benefits. Pilkington ActivSuncoolT signifies the product after toughening, in its final format.

Leo Pyrah, product manager at Pilkington UK, said: “Specifiers are demanding glazing with greater functionality to help their projects achieve a number of goals, from environmental sustainability and occupant wellbeing to technical performance and cost reduction.

“As Pilkington ActivSuncoolT delivers three important functions in one single pane, the second pane of an IGU is free for fabricators to incorporate additional functionality – such as sound control, for example – allowing them to create a tailored, high-performance and multi-functional solution for bespoke projects.

“Ultimately, though, the launch of this new product will help building design professionals create a built environment fit for the future.”

The product will be manufactured at the company’s UK base in St Helens, Merseyside, for UK and overseas customers.