August 10, 2001—Pilkington, a UK-based manufacturer of glass and glazing products, recently unveiled a new line of self-cleaning glass to North American customers.
Pilkington Activ self-cleaning glass uses the sun’s ultraviolet rays to gradually and continuously break down and dissolve organic dirt through what is called a photocatalytic effect. At the same time, it reduces the surface tension of water to cause it to sheet down the surface and wash away dirt to leave windows nearly spotless. This is called a hydrophilic effect.
Pilkington Activ is the first and only glass manufactured with these self-cleaning properties.
Pilkington notes that this glass can save cleaning time for residential and commercial windows, eliminate the need to buy window-cleaning products or hiring cleaning services, and increases safety by eliminating the need to climb ladders or use industrial cleaning equipment that must be operated at extreme heights. The glass also protects the environment by reducing run-off of potentially harmful detergents.
For more information, contact Pilkington. American consumers can call Pilkington Building Products North America at 866/882-2848.
