This week the BBC investigated the history of Pilkington and the development of the float glass production process in its documentary series, Made in Britain. Presented by Evan Davies, the BBC paid a visit to our production sites in St Helens and revealed how Alistair Pilkington’s invention of the glass float line in the 1960’s is a prime example of British ingenuity that has contributed greatly to the security of our economy.
Heralding a revolution in the glass manufacturing industry Alistair Pilkington’s hard work and determination resulted in the float line process being exported to nations all over the globe while simultaneously improving the quality and speed of glass production. This break-through in glass manufacturing allowed output to keep up with an increased demand for glass in cars, homes and other consumer products.
The relationship between glass and technology is something that our glass technicians are continually exploring as they look to improve the quality, functionality and applications of our products.
The Pilkington energiKare™ range is a great contemporary example of innovation at Pilkington that caters for the changing demands of consumers and government regulations. With the emphasis on reduction of energy consumption Pilkington energiKare™ energy-efficient double glazing reduces the amount of heat loss through windows and it also allows more heat (energy) from the sun in through the window - this effect is known as solar gain. Replacing existing single glazing with Pilkington energiKare™, can reduce the amount of energy lost through a window by up to 75% and reduce energy consumption by up to 20% each year.
The Pilkington energiKare™ range is part of our commitment to the environment as we look to secure a sustainable future for the planet, our customers and the company. By producing energy-efficient glass we are contributing to society’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to mitigate the effects of climate change. Drawing inspiration from the work of Alistair Pilkington and his team, as highlighted by the BBC, we aim to be the global leader in innovative high-performance glass and glazing solutions, contributing to energy conservation and generation, working safely and ethically for generations to come.
