AGC
Reflects on World First in Mirror Technology
AGC Flat Glass Europe (formerly Glaverbel) has announced
another world first with the launch of Mirox 3G, the world's most environmentally-friendly
mirror. Mirox 3G is an ecological innovation and the first mirrored glass
to meet the requirements of the European Union's RoHS (Restriction of
Hazardous Substances) directive, which is aimed at reducing the amounts
of hazardous substances (such as lead) used in industrial production.
In recognition of its environmental benefits, Miror 3G has just won an
'M' Technology Award' at the ZOW furniture trade show in Germany.
AGC's
third generation mirrored glass, Mirox 3G represents the culmination of
30 years of continuous, advanced research in mirror technology at the
Zeebrugge plant in Belgium. Thanks to a patented process, AGC Flat Glass
Europe will soon be the only company whose entire output of mirrors is
RoHS-compliant, guaranteeing the same high quality in all its production
units. Being totally free of formaldehyde, copper and lead, this mirrored
glass is the most ecological in the world. It also offers higher quality,
with greater resistance to scratches, corrosion, humidity and chemical
attack by cleaning products.
In addition to these benefits, Mirox 3G is also available as an antibacterial
glass solution incorporating silver ions in the top layers of the glass
that eliminate 99.9% of bacteria that come in contact with the surface.
This technology was first announced last September when AGC's launched
the groundbreaking Antibacterial Glass. As a result, this new 3G mirrored
glass can play an important role wherever hygiene is of particular importance,
such as in hospitals, hotels and sports complexes.
AGC Flat Glass UK's MD, Koen Buyck comments, ‘We owe this world first
with Mirox 3G to the 30 years of experience built up in this field by
the Zeebrugge plant, and by its close collaboration with our R&D Centre.
The efforts of our teams have recently been rewarded with the Belgian
Prize for the Environment, thus providing yet a further guarantee for
our customers.’
Ever since it began producing mirrored glass in 1977, the Zeebrugge plant
has never ceased to innovate and develop, becoming not only a producer
of high-quality mirrors exported all over the world but also a pioneer
in mirror technology. In 1987, the company built the largest, most modern
production line in the world, with mirrored glass being produced in large
sheets measuring 6 metres by 3.21 metres.
Two major innovations, second generation ecological mirrored glass (Mirox
MNGE) and painted glass (Lacobel), followed in 1997. This new type of
mirrored glass, Mirox New Generation Ecological, was the first to be made
without copper in the production process, as well has having a drastically
reduced lead content, making it the most environment-friendly mirror in
the world. As the originator of the mirror technology, Zeebrugge naturally
provides support with development of mirrors elsewhere within the group,
at its plants in the Czech Republic, Russia, Italy and Spain.
Tel: 01788 535353
Email: hannah.gration@eu.agc-flatglass.com
Web: http://www.agc-flatglass.eu
