More transparency in the kitchen: SCHOTT revolutionizes microwave glass with nearly transparent mesh

Monday, September 1, 2025, Mainz, Germany

  • The innovative mesh structure SCHOTT® micro clear fabric enables an almost transparent door for microwave appliances.
  • The solution meets all requirements for radiation shielding, heat resistance, light transmission, and compliance with applicable REACH and RoHS regulations.
  • Compatible with various glass types, the fabric facilitates modern family designs in premium built-in devices and combination ovens.
For more than 50 years, microwave ovens have been a staple in private households and industrial kitchens – and during that time, their appearance has hardly changed. Now SCHOTT is setting new standards in design. With its innovative, nearly transparent mesh structure, SCHOTT® micro clear fabric, the new microwave glass offers real added value for consumers and appliance manufacturers alike: providing a clear view of food being cooked without compromising safety or functionality.
Woman in protective clothing (white coat and gloves) holding a SCHOTT® micro clear fabric microwave glass in front of her.
Innovative fabric for greater transparency: watch your food without compromising on safety or performance. Photo: SCHOTT

Microwave ovens use electromagnetic waves to heat water molecules in food. To prevent this radiation from escaping, where it could affect sensitive organs such as the eyes, the appliance must be shielded – and the door, which provides access to the interior, always poses a challenge in this regard. The current industry standard with metal grid technology is visually limiting, looks outdated, and does not align well with design trends. These trends follow the principle of family design, in which different kitchen appliances are visually coordinated. With its transparent, modern appearance, SCHOTT® micro clear fabric meets exactly this demand and integrates seamlessly into the look of premium kitchens.

Patented technology – developed by SCHOTT

At the heart of this innovation is a combination of glass and a radiation-absorbing fabric developed by SCHOTT, which are permanently bonded together in a patented process. Like a Faraday cage, the special fabric ensures reliable shielding from microwave radiation. At the same time, the glass remains virtually transparent – without any negative impact on heating or cooking processes.

Is the pasta steaming yet? Has the cheese melted? Consumers no longer need to open the oven and check the temperature, because the clear view of the interior makes it much easier to monitor the cooking and heating process. “The limited view through the dark grid has always been a nuisance when using microwaves. Thanks to our solution, users will have a much better view of their food in the future and thus more control,” states Benoit Kolheb, Manager Product Development & Innovation at SCHOTT.

Another advantage is that the mesh structure can be combined with different types of glass and integrated smoothly into existing appliance designs. “This makes our SCHOTT® micro clear fabric not only functional and aesthetic for end consumers but also gives appliance manufacturers a high degree of design flexibility,” says Gregor Grosse, Director Global Product Development & Innovation Management at SCHOTT.

With this development, SCHOTT offers a forward-looking solution for premium built-in kitchens and the growing market for combination appliances that unite multiple functions and cooking methods. When it comes to visibility, safety, and design orientation, SCHOTT® micro clear fabric sets new standards – for greater transparency and everyday comfort in the kitchen.

White kitchen front with a black microwave featuring the new SCHOTT® micro clear fabric glass.

The nearly transparent fabric replaces the conventional metal grid of traditional appliances. Photo: SCHOTT

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Microwave with the new SCHOTT® micro clear fabric glass compared to conventional glass.

SCHOTT® micro clear fabric provides a significantly clearer view of the food inside the oven. Photo: SCHOTT

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About SCHOTT

International technology group SCHOTT produces high-quality components and advanced materials, including specialty glass, glass-ceramics, and polymers. Many SCHOTT products have high-tech applications that push technological boundaries, such as flexible glass in foldable smartphones, glass-ceramic mirror substrates in the world's largest telescopes, and laser glass in nuclear fusion. With their pioneering spirit, SCHOTT’s 17,400 employees in over 30 countries work as partners to industries such as healthcare, home appliances, consumer electronics, semiconductors, optics, astronomy, energy, and aerospace. In fiscal year 2024, SCHOTT generated 2.8 billion euros in sales. In addition to innovation, one of its important corporate goals is sustainability, where it is pursuing climate neutral production by 2030. SCHOTT was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in Mainz, Germany. The company belongs to the Carl Zeiss Foundation, which uses its dividends to promote science. Further information at SCHOTT.com

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MC Pressekontakt Elisa Meglio
Elisa Meglio