[Speaker 2]

Listen LiSEC, the podcast about glass processing. Hello and welcome to Listen LiSEC, the podcast about glass processing. My name is Sarah.

[Speaker 1]

And I'm Hannes.

[Speaker 2]

Today we're talking about a topic that is shaping the future of flat glass processing, sustainability. What does it mean for flat glass and insulating glass production? How do manufacturers, suppliers, and even customers contribute?

And what are the latest trends and innovations? And I thought we'll be starting at the basics today. Hannes, can you tell us what does sustainability even mean in the context of flat glass and insulating glass production?

[Speaker 1]

All right, Sarah. Thank you so much for inviting me to talk about a really important topic today. So I would say sustainability in flat glass and insulating glass production isn't just about efficient machines.

It's actually a very holistic approach. So we have to think about the life cycle. So it starts with how the machines and the processes are designed, continues with the assembly process, is followed by the IG production itself.

And last but not least, also how do we reduce gas or recycle the glass? For LiSEC, it's a strategic priority anchored in its 2030 strategy and also aligned with the UN's 17 sustainability goals. So what do we focus on?

It's actually four main areas. Number one is sustainable production at our site by minimising CO2 footprint. Number two is workplace and social responsibility, which means equal opportunities, training and well-being.

Third, solutions for customers, which translates into energy efficiency and long-lasting machines. And last but not least, relationships with our customers and suppliers to ensure fair working conditions and compliance.

[Speaker 2]

All right, that's an interesting approach. Can you tell me more about the first topic you mentioned, the LiSEC approach to sustainability at their own production site?

[Speaker 1]

At our production site here in Seitenstedt in Austria, we actually use renewable energy, like a large photovoltaic system on the roof. And we also focus on waste management and recycling. Social responsibility is also key, which is providing equal opportunities and training for all employers.

So these efforts have earned us a bronze medal in the Ecovadius Sustainability Ranking, which is an independent rating agency. This placed us amongst the top 35 of performance in our industry. But are we stopping there?

Not at all. So we are definitely aiming higher with ongoing improvements.

[Speaker 2]

Oh, that's exciting to hear. And does sustainability also influence the design and development of our machines?

[Speaker 1]

Absolutely, Sarah. So as I mentioned already at the beginning, it starts with how machines and processes are designed. When LiSEC is developing new machines or updating existing ones, we are carefully selecting materials, avoiding problematic substances like rare earths or harmful coatings.

We standardise components across machine families, which improves production efficiency and makes service and maintenance much easier. This approach reduces environmental impact and supports sustainability throughout the product lifecycle.

[Speaker 2]

And what about energy and resource consumption in the customer production?

[Speaker 1]

Yes, that's another super important part of the whole lifecycle thinking. So actually, what we do is we analyse energy, water and air consumption in customer production lines, identifying high impact processes like washing machines, which use significant energy for heating and drying. We also look at standby versus shutdown strategies to optimise energy use during breaks or weekends.

LiSEC's 360 degree analysis helps customers to set up the most efficient and sustainable production lines.

[Speaker 2]

So the machines are quite energy and resource efficient, but what about the workplaces themselves? How are people interacting with the machines?

[Speaker 1]

So the safety and well-being of the operators is of course key for LiSEC. So we prioritise ergonomics and noise reduction. Automation helps eliminate monotonous, physically demanding tasks, shifting workers to monitoring and supervising roles.

Noise is reduced through enclosures and optimised air nozzles, for example, aim for safe levels without mandatory hearing protection. This improves both well-being and efficiency at the same time.

[Speaker 2]

All right. So if the operators are in a supervisory role, how do we ensure consistent quality on the machines then?

[Speaker 1]

Okay, Sarah, I can see that might sound worrying at first. However, LiSEC machines minimise operator influence by automating parameter adjustments. So for example, if conditions change like temperature or material viscosity, the system automatically adapts, ensuring consistent quality and reducing rejects.

Self-regulating processes guarantee high standards and contribute to sustainability by minimising waste.

[Speaker 2]

So this is where software comes into play when it comes to sustainability?

[Speaker 1]

Absolutely. Software tools are essential for optimising production and sustainability. They help detect errors early, reduce waste and analyse resource consumption.

Sequencing and analysis tools ensure the glass is processed effectively, minimising unnecessary steps and maximising yield.

[Speaker 2]

So if this is the role of the software today, what about in 5 to 10 years? What do you see? What kind of trends or developments?

[Speaker 1]

We are seeing trends towards reducing material use, for example, thinner glass, less sealant and more efficient processes. However, this brings new challenges for separation to recycling, as different glass types must be kept apart. Lifecycle thinking is essential.

Considering sustainability from production to end of life and working with customers and suppliers to find practical solutions.

[Speaker 2]

So since you mentioned recycling and also reuse of glass, what are the innovations in that sector?

[Speaker 1]

Recycling and reuse are becoming increasingly important. LiSEC developed processes and tools, both manual and automated, for separating insulated glass into its components, allowing high-quality glass to be reused or recycled. This reuses CO2 emissions and opens up new business models, like supplying reused glass to other industries, for example.

The goal is actually to keep the glass usable for as long as possible before it goes back into recycling.

[Speaker 2]

Thank you for your insights. That brings me to my customary question at that point. What would you say should be the main takeaway for our listeners from today's episode?

[Speaker 1]

Despite the fact that some economic challenges sometimes push this topic aside, sustainability is essential and will remain so. Producing high-quality, long-lasting IG units on super-efficient production lines will be more and more important in the future. This will become a competitive advantage as also funding and financing starts to increasingly be dependent on sustainability credentials.

LiSEC provides solutions in all these areas. For more details on long-lasting IG unit production, I recommend listening to our second episode of this season. Investing into new or upgraded machinery and software will not only reduce the CO2 footprint, but more importantly, keep you relevant as a supplier.

[Speaker 2]

Thank you. This is an awesome ending to our episode today. And thank you to our listeners for tuning in to LISEN LiSEC, season two, Deep Dives.

[Speaker 1]

Thank you so much, Sarah. This has been LiSTEN LiSEC, a podcast about glass processing.

[Speaker 2]

Visit lisec.com to find out more about our innovative machines, automation solutions, software and services made in Austria.

[Speaker 1]

Or visit our company blog to read about the latest in glass processing and glass functioning.

[Speaker 2]

For more insights, listen LiSEC.