EMAP

This project has been designed to develop new glazing with enhanced properties by including polymeric sheets for the automotive industry and the rail, architectural and security and defence sectors. Enhanced properties include improved energy efficiency, acoustic insulation, mechanical, structural and safety resistance and a drastic reduction in glazing weight. In terms of energy insulation, the plan is to design glazing with an energy transmittance of less than 1.1 W/m2K, which would reduce energy consumption from air conditioning by around 10% by lowering energy losses through glazing. Adding polymeric layers can improve sound insulation by achieving sound reduction values in the region of 50 dBA, which is a net improvement in performance of around 6–8 dBA in comparison to current glazing. Adding polymeric layers improves, above all, the resistance and the mechanical and structural properties of glazing as well as significantly reducing its weight.