Vitro Architectural Glass Triumphs with Solarban® 60 in $10 Million GSA Contract for Low Embodied Carbon Windows
In a significant stride toward sustainable infrastructure, Vitro Architectural Glass proudly announces the triumphant selection of its Solarban® 60 glass by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for the Powell Courthouse and Annex renovations. The prestigious $10 million contract, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, reflects a commitment to low embodied carbon (LEC) windows, aligning with the nation’s broader goals of environmental responsibility and job creation.
Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), this investment aims not only to revitalize existing structures but also to fortify America’s industrial capacity for future materials. The initiative, a pivotal component of the Biden administration’s Buy Clean Initiative, strives to curtail greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, use, and disposal of construction materials.
Vitro’s Solarban® 60 glass, meeting the stringent requirements outlined in the GSA’s IRA Low Embodied Carbon Material Requirements, emerges as a beacon of eco-friendly innovation. Boasting a third-party verified global warming potential (GWP) of 1,350 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per metric ton—6% lower than the industry standard—Solarban® 60 aligns with the courthouse’s efficiency, performance, and aesthetic prerequisites. Transmitting 70% of visible light while blocking 62% of the sun’s heat energy, the glass ensures year-round comfort, substantial energy savings, and a clear, color-neutral appearance.
Paul Bush, Vitro Architectural Glass Vice President of Technical Services, Sustainability & Government Affairs, expressed pride in contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and promoting energy-efficient spaces. Bush emphasized that Vitro’s Solarban® family of solar control low-e glasses not only provides sustainable solutions but also delivers a tangible return on carbon by significantly reducing operational carbon throughout a building’s lifespan.
Vitro’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond product excellence to manufacturing processes. The company’s production teams have implemented various strategies to lower embodied carbon, addressing the challenge posed by flat glass manufacturing’s significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. From efficient batch material usage to the pioneering use of oxy-fuel technology, Vitro has achieved a 20% reduction in energy consumption in glass-melting furnaces, resulting in a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The Powell Courthouse and Annex renovation projects mark a milestone as one of the initial procurements of low embodied carbon construction materials under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Buy Clean Initiative. This federal initiative prioritizes the purchase of materials—such as asphalt, concrete, glass, and steel—with lower greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing the government’s commitment to environmentally responsible procurement.
Vitro acknowledges the collaboration of key partners in this endeavor: fabricator United Plate Glass, wholesaler Glass Distributors, Inc., and broker BK Glass.
Source: Vitro Architectural Glass with additional information added by GlassBalkan
