 
Flat Glass Manufacturing Discussions Open GANAs Glass Week
March 25, 2010
The Glass Association of North Americas (GANA) annual Glass
Week event kicked off this morning at the Paris in Las Vegas with
a meeting of the Flat Glass Manufacturing Division (FGMD).
Stephen Farrar of Guardian presented a report from the Climate
Change Committee, noting that, Climate change has obviously
been one of the top two or three issues for GANA over the last year.
Glass manufacturers have aimed to increase awareness that they
will be disadvantaged with having to pay carbon credits when foreign
manufacturers arent so burdened, I think weve
gotten that message through reasonably well, he said.
He pointed out that regulation efforts regarding cap-and-trade
provisions that caused such concern last year have somewhat simmered
in Congress, as health care has taken center stage, but added, Our
attitude is that just because its not moving right now theres
no reason to stand on the sidelines.
Indeed, among the regulatory issues discussed today on this topic
was the potential upcoming legislation from Sens. John Kerry and
Lindsey Graham (CLICK
HERE for related article); a lawsuit from the National Association
of Manufacturers against the Environmental Protection Agency regarding
its greenhouse gas regulations; and efforts being made in California
toward standards to keep heat out of vehicles that will impact all
glass manufacturers (CLICK
HERE for related story).
Also during todays meeting the GANA membership committee,
led by technical director Urmilla Sowell, reviewed updates to its
Guide to Architectural Glass and resolved the few word-smithing
comments. The division expects to begin charging for the popular
document in the future. Several items also were reviewed in the
in-progress Physical and Mechanical Properties of Soda Lime Float
Glass glass informational bulletin (GIB). The LEED Recycled
Content for Glass GIB was not reviewed by the group as it has
recently passed a division ballot. The newest GIB is one thus far
titled Daylighting that has been adapted from an article
from the Efficient Window Collaborative.
The mandated document from the divisions education committee
presents information on how daylighting and expansive use of glass
can reduce use of electric lighting in buildings, in addition to
other benefits, as well as information on picking the right glass.
Its a very important issue as it ties into efforts to
tighten the building codes, commented Farrar.
The technical committee made plans to go through the draft, revise
and add additional material on the topic of how daylighting can
assist in energy savings.
Under the topic of new business, GANA executive vice
president Bill Yanek proposed to the division a future project to
consider: collecting data on capacity utilization. Kim Mann, GANAs
general counsel, noted that the Federal Trade Commission and the
Justice Department have guidelines that do allow trade associations
to compile such sensitive information, so the question remaining
for the group at large was one of their interest in such a project.
As one member pointed out, If [a survey were] conducted today
- were talking about capacity utilization - a week later all
of the information might be obsolete.
Mann agreed that it would need to be an ongoing process that would
eventually show tendencies within the industry.
Other concerns were that not all float manufacturers are represented
within the association (an invitation to participate would be extended,
was the staff response) and that the term capacity would
need to be better defined as the cullet-to-sand ratio differs among
manufacturers.
Ultimately the discussion was suspended, at least until GANA staff
has further researched the topic and provided detailed information
on why it might be useful and informative for members and the industry
at large.
Glass Week continues through Saturday, and is co-located with the
Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance annual meeting (CLICK
HERE for related story) and the Building Envelope Contractors
Conference beginning on Saturday. Stay tuned to USGNN.com
for updates from the conference.
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HERE to offer your questions or comments on the meeting topics
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