|
|
 |
| Glass Industry |
|
| In constant use since ancient Egyptian times, glass is still a highly valued material. Nowadays glass is a sophisticated product requiring state-of-the-art technologies to ensure ever faster and cheaper production. |
| New grades of glass have been developed to suit the requirements of customers and the many functions this material is called on to fulfill. Depending on their composition, distinctions can be made among around a dozen types of glass, which fall into the categories of hollow glass, flat glass and specialty glass. |
 |
 |
Solvay supplies high-quality sodium carbonate to major glassmakers throughout the world. Generally located near customers, the Group companies actively support their growth. In addition, Solvay provides its customers with specific counseling on the raw materials needed to process highly-sophisticated technical glass.
|
Glass is produced by the fusion of 3 types of raw material
- the glass formers are the network-forming oxides; the most widely used is silica, which is found in sand.
- the fluxes are the network-modifying oxides, which lower the melting point of the silica; the most frequently used is sodium oxide, derived from sodium carbonate.
- the network stabilizers (calcium and magnesium oxides) give glass its stability.
Manufacturing one metric ton of soda lime glass can take up to 230 kg of sodium carbonate. In the furnace, the sodium carbonate becomes sodium oxide and carbon dioxide.In collaboration with glassmakers, Solvay has developed a 'custom-made' grade of dense sodium carbonate; its grain size reduces product segregation to a minimum.
|
|
|
|
