It’s time to embrace change
Edgetech managing director, Chris Alderson, explores the idea that a new wave of investment in innovation may be required to keep up with legislation.
At Edgetech, sustainability has always been something we take extremely seriously. Long before environmental awareness went mainstream, Super Spacer was helping millions of buildings around Britain, Europe and the wider world become more energy efficient – and in turn, cut their carbon emissions.
Over the years, we’ve also paid extremely close attention to changes in legislation around sustainability. That’s partly been for practical reasons – as a major supplier operating in the built environment, we need to keep abreast of any changes in regulation that could affect both ourselves and our customers.
However, it’s also been because we feel a moral responsibility to take part in these crucial debates, and help ensure our sector, the country, and the world more generally has a greener future.
In 2005, the UK glazing industry was on the brink of major change, driven by the need to dramatically improve the nation’s sustainability. The government’s introduction of Energy Performance Certificates and the emergence of Window Energy Ratings spurred IGU manufacturers to embrace cutting-edge tech and push the sector forward.
Today, it’s the Future Homes Standard which will lead the industry to another technological shift as companies adapt.
At Edgetech, we’re seeing many companies who invested in new machinery 20 years ago approach us about doing the same thing again. They’ve seen huge benefits from the Super Spacer automation equipment they invested in, which has helped them improve quality, thermal efficiency, and given them two decades of reliable performance.
For all these reasons, they’re now looking to repeat that experience with the next generation of machinery that can help them meet today’s challenges.
Over 20 years, technology has progressed tremendously. Today’s fully automated Super Spacer application lines can make products more quickly, efficiently, and to higher standards than ever before. Importantly, this applies to triple-glazed windows as well as double.
Currently, we don’t know exactly what shape the final Future Homes Standard will take. However, as performance requirements become even more stringent, the industry increasingly seems to be moving towards triple glazing as the most viable way of meeting stricter environmental requirements and consumer demand – and I believe this could be the spur for the next wave of large-scale innovation.
Meanwhile, Super Spacer has stood the test of time. As performance requirements tighten significantly, Super Spacer continues to provide the fantastic energy efficiency the market demands.
By using Super Spacer technology, high-speed automated application, and triple-glazing, IGU solutions will be prepared for the net-zero age.
However, to be prepared and to remain competitive for the decade ahead, companies must act now. Lead times on next-generation spacer application machines can be as long as 12 months, and more companies are now looking to acquire them.
To stay ahead of the curve, and be ready for the Future Homes Standard, companies should invest in the future today.
In doing so, they won’t just be securing their own future prosperity, and allowing them to keep operating in a market where offering the most outstanding energy efficiency will become the norm.
They will be making a crucial contribution to a global effort that aims to make the built environment fit for a greener, more sustainable net zero age.
