Innovations are intended to improve our lives and make them safer and the development of glass products is no exception. By combining certain glass types with materials, such as polymers, a considerably higher robustness and flexibility can be achieved, dramatically increasing the level of protection in an automobile for example. Glass, which is slightly flexible, can prevent cracking. Moreover, the optical properties remain stable. Specialty glass also makes it possible to cut down on weight, which is currently an essential factor in the range of vehicles in the e-mobility sector.

For many industries, design has become increasingly important. In contrast to other materials, conformable glass offers a unique set of design benefits. It can adapt perfectly to surfaces of all kinds, refining and safeguarding them at the same time. Thus, in the automotive sector, opaque surfaces are being replaced or enhanced by glass, and components in automobile interiors are coated with thin and ultra-thin glass. Even complex geometries can be realized by 3D molding. In comparison to plastic, metal or wood, glass ensures a modern optical and tactile experience. It provides designers with entirely new options for smart combinations and shapes.

Material innovations can provide optimal protection. A compound of specialty glass powders and polymers opens entirely new possibilities. For example, the selective use of these glass types enables higher resistance to fire and chemicals. In addition, when specialty glass types are used as a filler material, improved abrasion resistance, lower wear and tear, and enhanced optical functionalities (such as protection from UV radiation) can all be achieved. When specialty glass powder is used as an additive in polymer-based engineering materials, textile fibers, foams, pastes or casting compounds, it opens a new realm of benefits in many application areas.