Guardian Sponsors, Presents at Brazilian Energy Efficiency Standards Workshop

Guardian Industries in Auburn Hills, Mich., helped sponsor a conference organized by the Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT) and hosted at the American Chamber of Commerce in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where the benefits of energy-efficient glass were discussed. The objective of the Energy Efficiency Conference was to increase awareness of the benefits of energy-efficient windows, high-performance glazing and other building envelope materials, and generate support in Brazil for the adoption of an energy performance rating and labeling system. More than 120 representatives attended the event from the public and private sectors.

Attendees included representatives from the U.S. and Brazilian manufacturing sectors, government officials from the Ministry of Energy & Mines (MME) and others involved in the effort underway to develop energy codes in Brazil. Guardian was one of the private-sector sponsors of the conference. Other participating organizations included the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) in Greenbelt, Md., and the Brazil-U.S. Business Council.

 “Energy-efficient glazing plays an important role in reducing energy consumption in buildings,” says Scott Thomsen, Guardian Glass Group president. “We are seeing a growing number of countries adopt and begin to enforce energy codes with more stringent requirements.”

Buildings consume a significant percentage of the electricity produced in Brazil. Building construction in the country is already on the rise and will increase as it prepares for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. Use of energy-efficient advanced building envelope materials can help reduce growing energy demand.

Guardian has two float glass facilities in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro that produce high-performance coated glass products for commercial and residential applications. The company has recently made large investments in the country, including installation of an advanced technology sputter-coater, used to produce energy efficient glass.

 “Guardian in Brazil is committed to working with government agencies to help develop energy efficiency codes for glazing which will help preserve the environment, as well as generate savings for the public," says Dana Partridge, vice president, Latin America. “We appreciate the leadership demonstrated by the ABNT and the Brazilian and U.S. governments in organizing this important event.”