|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
The Group produces an average of 1,400 tonnes of glass per day.
Glass which comes from earth and fire consists of 70% of sand, 20% of soda and 10% of limestone. As a material, it can be entirely recycled and has many qualities: it is an insulator, it is rotproof, non-inflammable, fireproof, non porous, transparent, hard but also fragile, delicate and pure.
New manufacturing processes have now created different types of glass:
|
 |
> Clear glass
The word ‘ glass ’ in normal language refers to a hard, fragile, breakable and transparent material. Most of the raw material is natural.
The basic raw materials are: a vitrifying agent (an oxide forming a vitreous lattice): Sand (98%), melting agents also known as flux (an oxide to lower the fusion temperature): Sodium carbonate, a stabiliser (for chemical durability): limestone, magnesium, alumina, cullet (for reducing the fusion temperature): recycled glass.
As well as various additives: Metal oxides (dyes, opacifier, etc.).
|
|
 |
> The crystal
This is glass with more than 24% of lead content. It is clear, resonant and very resistant to devitrification (overheating of glass).
It consists of silica (62%), lead oxide (+24%) and potassium (7%) among others.
|
|
 |
> Opale glass
This is made with lead-based glass to which other components are added to obtain a matte florated glass. This type of glass is particularly suitable for dishes.
|
|
 |
> Borosilicate glass
the most well known is Pyrex® which resists thermal shocks very well. It is used for laboratory tools and kitchen utensils (as it resists both heat and chemical agents). It is also used for insulation (glass fibres) and for storing radioactive waste. |
|
 |
> Vitroceramic glass
This is a by-product of glass whose manufacturing is based on the devitrification principle. Semi-crystalline ceramic is transformed by a thermal treatment called ceramisation, which allows crystallising to begin. The crystallising temperature is approximately 800° and crystallising takes about two hours.
Vitroceramics are hard to break and have a very low expansion/contraction coefficient which means that they resist thermal shock very well.
They are in particular suitable for cookware which can be used on burners (cooking plates).
|
|
 |
> Kwarx®
This is an entirely new material which is a perfect synthesis of the qualities of materials already on the market, namely glass, crystal and crystalline glass.
They have the same transparency, sparkle and delicate workmanship as crystal and the strength of glass.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|