Lithuania-based GLASSBEL produces highend architectural glass for iconic projects worldwide. CEO & Owner Dr Dmitri Sobolevski highlighted the innovative types of glass produced by the company, along with the supportive team culture driving its sustainable operations. Report by Phil Nicholls.
Established in 2001, GLASSBEL is a leading glass processing company focusing on high-end architectural and interior glass markets. As part of its impressive portfolio of services, GLASSBEL is also caring for the environment with innovative products.
“Recently, we have developed birdfriendly glass solutions featuring laser etching,” explained CEO & Owner Dr Dmitri Sobolevski. “GLASSBEL manufactures four types of bird-friendly glass in accordance with American Bird Conservancy requirements: glass which significantly reduces the risk of bird collisions. Our solutions aim to break the reflective surface of glass by adding laser marks that make it visible to birds.
“Alternatively, we put special digitally printed patterns on the glass or interlayers which also reduce collisions. We also process special UV-patterned glass, which is not visible to humans but can be seen by birds.”
The origins of GLASSBEL’s business philosophy go back to 1993, when the team ran a facade cladding business. Therefore, the company has a deep understanding of the facade business and its requirements, leading to the successful completion of architectural projects in 29 countries on four continents.
GLASSBEL operates from a 15,000 sqm production building, with additional 1,200 sqm dedicated to its laboratory –GLASSBEL LAB and offices. These facilities enable the production capacity of around 120,000 sqm of IGUs, plus 80,000 sqm of laminated glass for many different purposes. The glass can range in size up to 3.2 by 7 metres for the entire range of products (IGU, Laminated glass, fritted glass, etc).
“We have 187 employees from seven nations under one roof, united in peace,” said Dr Sobolevski. “I am proud to say that 55 per cent of the management team are women.”
Iconic architectural glass
A consolidated operation at GLASSBEL places all known architectural glass processing and products under one roof, with a focus on high-end architecture.
The package of services at GLASSBEL includes every step of the process, from support at the planning stage, through project management and quality assurance, all the way to a sophisticated logistics programme to ensure safe delivery of its bespoke glass products.
GLASSBEL LAB’s steadily expanding portfolio of innovations now includes electrochromic glass and IGUs. By adjusting solar control, these dynamic types of glass efficiently manage energy consumption, reducing the need for excessive cooling or heating. This can subsequently decrease a building’s CO 2 emissions by 20%. Along with these sustainability advantages, dynamic glass enhances the aesthetics of a building, reduces glare and improves privacy. Now, that glass can be produced with irregular shapes too.
“We have also developed laminated glass with SEFAR mesh, holes and cutouts,” explained Dr Sobolevski. “These
products represent new solutions for architectural ideas and a creative approach to sustainable construction.”
Unique projects
The development of customised products that meet the sophisticated needs of modern architecture is only part of the appeal of GLASSBEL, according to Dr Sobolevski: “Our unique competence is not only in glass processing, but also encompasses our focus on excellent client service, close cooperation with consultants and architects, plus an orientation on deep, long-term partnerships.”
It is this package of skills that enables the GLASSBEL team to deliver an impressive
array of iconic buildings from around the world. This portfolio includes offices for global businesses such as Facebook, Salesforce, Microsoft and Google.
Glass from GLASSBEL features in the Dubai Opera House in the UAE and in the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh. The stunning Bahai Temple in Santiago, Chile, is clad with digitally printed glass with a dot graded digital frit. GLASSBEL is very active in the US, with successful projects including the Buffalo AKG Art Museum in Buffalo, NY, plus 270 Park Avenue and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt – both in New York City – among many others.
“GLASSBEL is focused not on markets, but on projects,” said Dr Sobolevski. “We have established a decent niche in commercial buildings for global IT companies, culture, sport, transportation and high-end residential buildings.”
Green, green glass
GLASSBEL has an emphasis on sustainable solutions, with the company running on 100% renewable energy. “Our thinking is always long-term,” continued Dr Sobolevski.
“Therefore, we emphasise the importance of finding sustainable solutions in our pro duction process and by fully utilising any by products.”
Thus, all glass culets are returned to the float producers for reuse. Likewise, any waste from GLASSBEL’s lamination foils cutouts is recycled. This is part of the pro gramme of recycling 100% of all by products, whether glass, foils or packaging. Sustainable operations are maintained with a system of efficient water consumption and recycling, including the filtering and utilisation of rainwater. Heating at the GLASSBEL premises is achieved by harvesting heat from the production process. The result of all these measures is a reduction of CO2 emissions by 2,856 tonnes a year.
Partnerships for the future
The underlying philosophy at GLASSBEL is that reputation is the foundation of relationships, as Dr Sobolevski made clear: “We keep our promises and believe that integrity is crucial to cultivating authentic growth and maintaining successful relationships.”
In following these principles, the company believes that cooperation is better than competition. The team takes an individual approach to each relationship to properly meet each partners’ particular needs.
GLASSBEL intends to apply these concepts as part of its long-term strategy. “We plan to grow not only in production volume, but in our expertise,” explained Dr Sobolevski. “This will involve further education and team training, in combination with maintaining our focus on innovation and prioritising sustainability in all aspects of production.”
When discussing this growth strategy, the issue that concerned the CEO was the challenge of political instability around the world, which in turn can lead to economic turbulence.
Dr Sobolevski remains excited about the future of GLASSBEL, seeing endless opportunities for business growth. The company has a strong programme for the ongoing development of new products and technologies. These strategies run in parallel with the mentoring and continuous educational process for employees.
In conclusion, he emphasised the underlying corporate culture of the GLASSBEL
team: “We are curious and constantly learning. We are bright personalities, united to achieve success and personal growth, all dedicated to delivering excellence for world architecture.” n
