ABOUT
OUR MANIFESTO
At Vetrotech, we believe that life safety comes first and that in all living places, people should be granted infallible safety. Because when it comes to protecting lives and property, compromise is not an option and full compliance is a must.
That’s why we are committed to making living places more secure and to ensuring your occupants the peace of mind they deserve without ever sacrificing comfort: no one should have to make the choice between life safety and wellbeing. We are pioneers in passive fire protection and high-security glazed solutions.
We use all our know-how to bring safety to ANY building project and to advocate for healthier, more sustainable construction. Every day, we transform the near-infinite potential of glass into high-performing, multifunctional solutions that demand no trade-off in function or aesthetic and discreetly blend into the surrounding architecture to provide occupants with imperceptible protection. You can rely upon us. We are your partners in identifying systems adapted to any application or risk scenario. We share this mission with you, today and for the years to come.
CULTURE
We never compromise when it comes to life safety and property protection. At Vetrotech we believe that safety comes first and we take our responsibility seriously: we advise solutions that will ensure the safety and comfort of building occupant, we accept no compromise on the rules and regulations designed to make living places more secure, we strive to be innovative and be a disruptive force.
MISSION
We ensure people’s safety, no matter what. Vetrotech exists to help improve safety standards in all living places and ensure that people and properties are always protected from hazard. That’s why we commit to excellence in production and service delivery, we exchange know-how with our stakeholders to help take the industry to the next level, we think out of the box to imagine future safety solutions.
DISCOVER WHAT VETROTECH STAND FOR
HISTORY
1884 FOUNDING OF GIESBRECHT GLAS: THE ROOTS OF VETROTECH GO BACK TO THE 19TH CENTURY
In the year 1884, the skilled glass painter Norbert Giesbrecht began his family business called Giesbrecht Glas situated on the elegant Junkerngasse in Bern, Switzerland.
Over the generations to come, glass work would become an industrial discipline and grow increasingly popular in modern architecture. Over the decades, Giesbrecht AG – which was still a family-owned company – grew to become a large player in the Swiss glass industry. It saw new specialization opportunities in technological progress and earned a reputation as a pioneer and innovator.
1962 TEMPERIT AG: PIONEERS IN THE FIELD OF TEMPERED GLASS
Following the innovations of the first half of the 20th century, tempered glass processing became more industrialized. This sparked its wide usage as safety glass in architecture and other applications.
The subsidiary TEMPERIT AG, founded in Hinwil, Switzerland, was among the first European processors to adopt horizontal tempering to improve quality. At a time when the behavior of tempered glass was still little understood, Temperit AG were pioneers in developing the "heat soak testing" process, thus making it safer and more reliable.
1980 VETROTECH IS BORN - AND SO IS ITS SPECIALIST MISSION
The founders of Vetrotech, decedents of the Giesbrecht family, believed in a safer – and more attractive – alternative to wired glass in protection. Vetrotech was grounded in Walchwil, Switzerland, to develop the world’s first fully-tempered “clear fire-resistant safety glass”, called PYROSWISS. This new glass for the first time combined fire-resistance with impact safety characteristics paving the way for new era in glazed fire protection.
1980 CONTRAFLAM: SAINT-GOBAIN ENTERS THE FIRE-RESISTANT GLASS MARKET
In parallel, VEGLA, the German glass division of Saint-Gobain, invented a completely new “hydro-gel” technology for fire-resistant glass with heat insulation properties – the first-generation CONTRAFLAM was born. CONTRAFLAM was the original EI class product to feature tempered glass and UV-stable interlayer technology. Even today, although sometimes imitated, never equaled.
THE 1980 - 90'S VETROTECH CROSSES BORDERS: THE EXPANSION BEGINS
Sparked by major fire incidents, this period was marked by great evolution in fire safety legislation in many European countries. The risk of injuries due to accidental human impact to wired glass raised awareness which also impacted building legislation.
Vetrotech accelerated its efforts in the national certification process of PYROSWISS opening affiliates in Germany and France and establishing sales representation throughout Europe and America, successfully meeting demand for a new generation of clear, fire-resistant safety glass.
1995 SAINT-GOBAIN ACQUIRES VETROTECH: BECOMING PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
Having become aware of the unique know-how and specialization that Vetrotech had gained over the years, Saint-Gobain acquired the Giesbrecht AG group, including Vetrotech, the innovative SWISSPACER warm-edge spacers technology, as well as other affiliates.
Subsequently, Saint-Gobain consolidated its fire protection glazing activity into the newly formed Vetrotech Saint-Gobain International AG and further expanded its international footprint, yet always remaining true to its mission to act as dedicated fire resisting glass specialists.
1884 FOUNDING OF GIESBRECHT GLAS: THE ROOTS OF VETROTECH GO BACK TO THE 19TH CENTURY
By the mid-90’s, building upon a growing Saint-Gobain presence in Asia, Vetrotech had begun to expand its global reach with the initiation of trading and processing collaborations supported by its Group structure in Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and eventually Taiwan – in both building and marine segments. Specialized PYROSWISS based technology products are produced in Japan and South Korea.
2000 VETROTECH IN NORTH AMERICA: A NEW WORLD OPENED UP
Tracing back to the early 1980’s, many VEGLA and Vetrotech products could already be found in the North American market, sold over distributors. In 2000, Vetrotech decided to directly enter the market and opened its doors with a sales office and production site in Auburn, Washington. Introducing an adapted product range to serve the market including PYROSWISS, CONTRAFLAM and a new product: Keralite – produced by a joint-venture of Saint-Gobain and Corning Glass.
2000 HQ MOVES TO BERN: THE NEW ERA OF CONTRAFLAM
After taking over the helm of Vetrotech Saint-Gobain in 1999, Alfred Giesbrecht relocated its head office to the Swiss capital of Bern, the historic home of Giesbrecht Glas.
By now, a new generation of CONTRAFLAM based on silica technology was in development. Soon the first of several high-volume production lines would be installed at a converted DGU processing site. These new processes led to significant improvements in capacity, greater lead-time reliability and service as well as environmentally friendly production.
2006 VETROTECH BECOMES EUROPE’S #1: THE SPECIALIST STRATEGY PAID OFF
After a quarter decade of large investments, hard work and persistent geographic expansion and additional European production sites in Switzerland, Poland, the UK and France.
Vetrotech had positioned itself as market leader in Europe for clear, fire-resistant safety glass. Now benefiting as a part of the Saint-Gobain group and always keeping the core Swiss values at heart, its unique specialist business model made Vetrotech Europe’s #1.
2008 VETROTECH IN IMEA: NOW PRESENT IN ALMOST EVERY TIME ZONE
In the year 1884, the skilled glass painter Norbert Giesbrecht began his family business called Giesbrecht Glas situated on the elegant Junkerngasse in Bern, Switzerland.
Over the generations to come, glass work would become an industrial discipline and grow increasingly popular in modern architecture. Over the decades, Giesbrecht AG – which was still a family-owned company – grew to become a large player in the Swiss glass industry. It saw new specialization opportunities in technological progress and earned a reputation as a pioneer and innovator.
20i3 FIRE + SECURITY – KINON BECOMES PART OF VETROTECH
Since its foundation in 1871, and the acquisition by Saint-Gobain in 1952, Kinon Sicherheitsglas GmbH in Aachen, Germany, grew into one of the leading experts for safety and high-security glass. It was here that CONTRAFLAM was first developed back in 1980. Now joining forces with Kinon a new dimension was added to Vetrotech’s comprehensive range of life-safety glass solutions.
2013 - 14 GROWTH LED TO RELOCATION
The growth of Vetrotech over the past decades, together with the expansion of its product range, lead to the much needed relocation of its headquarters to nearby Flamatt, and move and expansion its Swiss production site to Romont. In the course of this move, and for the 7th time in its history, Vetrotech expanded and relocated its own accredited fire testing laboratory (IFTS) to Herzogenrath, Germany on the compound of the Saint-Gobain R&D Center.
2015 1001 NIGHTS – NEW OFFICES IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND ASIA
In a move to be closer to our customers in important future markets, Vetrotech establishes a sales office in Dubai, with satellite offices in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Taiwan and Singapore. We consider it our social responsibility to play an active advocacy role in all markets we enter to ensures that we can follow our mission and contribute to safer built environments. Our technical support and specialized specification support set us apart from the rest.
APPROACH
PASSION
Vetrotech Saint-Gobain is passionate about combining safety with functionality and aesthetics, giving our customers the greatest possible flexibility to realise their visions. With LUNAX, we strive to design protective and aesthetic door systems, in collaboration with you, to meet the expectations of your high-end projects.
CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE
Light and transparency are crucial elements in contemporary architecture. With CONTRAFLAM glass as part of the LUNAX’s fire door concepts – frameless, fully-glazed and self-closing – you are combining optimum fire safety with maximum light in wooden, steel and brickwork constructions.
VISION
To create a fire-safe environment in keeping with the spirit and architecture of a building and its surroundings.
CREATIVITY
LUNAX not only offers the required safety, but also gives you creative freedom. Thanks to our unrelenting commitment to innovation, we offer customers the ability to customise fire-resistant glazed products to suit every imaginable application.
Fully-glazed
INTERNAL SWING DOORS
The fire-rated doors are designed for interior use only. Fire safety is assured by this self-closing internal door which closes into a slim frame with intumescent expanding strips. The LUNAX Porta is a swing door and comes as standard with a self-closing floor spring. The fire door is fireproof on both sides.
FULLY GLAZED
In contemporary architecture the LUNAX Porta lends itself to successful combining outstanding fire safety with a clear view into well-lit interiors offering a good sense of space. The most fire-safe solution for buildings requiring enhanced fire safety. The door comprises a fully glazed surface with just four discrete door clamps. It naturally creates spacious-feeling and attractively lit interiors.
EI30 / EI60
We have acquired EU fire certification for our doors. The LUNAX Porta has fire resistance of either 30 minutes or 60 minutes. Versions employ different types of fire-rated glass, with all doors meeting E, EW and EI classifications.
BESPOKE & UNIQUE
Our doors have a maximum fixed size which can be found below. We can produce any dimensions within those sizes, and customize the glazing and accessories on demand. This flexibility offers tremendous design freedom.
LUNAX DOORS IN ACTION
With its large selection of handles, the LUNAX Porta can blend seamlessly into its environment and enhance the building's design.
CONTRAFLAM STRUCTURE
BUTT-JOINT FIRE-RESISTANT GLAZING SYSTEM
Contraflam Structure sets new standards in the design of transparent fire protection as the original flush "butt-joint glass solution" without vertical frame profiles reaching up to EI120.
DETAILS
- Durable. More than 2.5 times the normative UV stability
- Symmetrical butt-joint fire protection
- For interior and exterior applications
- Portrait and landscape applications tested
- Corners without frame profiles (90°–180°)
- Filigran and slimmer silicone joints
- Excellent acoustic insulation properites
The floor-to-ceiling glazing resembles a continuous, uninterrupted glass wall only jointed with silicone – almost like one large piece of glass – allowing the building to be flooded with natural daylight without any compromise on safety. It is adapted to the static requirements for partitions and walls and tested to reach high impact resistance and line-loads.
DESIGN APPLICATIONS
A butt-joint family to match all design expectations with the robustness of toughened glass.
- Contraflam Structure: The first fire-resistant butt-joint tempered glass solution. The look and feel of a “structural glazed” unit.
- Contraflam Structure Elegance: Thinnest sight-line of any tempered butt-joint fire resisting glass type. Maximum daylight and transparency.
- Contraflam Structure Vibrance: Discretely blend with interior tones. Ceramic frit back-painted vertical edges in any Pantone or RAL colour.
- Contraflam Structure Vibrance: Accentuate with complimentary colours. Ceramic frit back-painted vertical edges in any Pantone or RAL colour.
VIDEO
Contraflam Structure Is Made Of Contraflam Fire-resistant Glasses. Experience The Fire Test Of This Solution In Our Ifts Fire Resistant Testing Laboratory, Iso 17025, Accredited To A Number Of European, North American And International Standards.
PERFORMANCE
PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION WITH GLASS
Fire-resistant glazing solutions that will not only keep people safe, but will protect the building itself. In the event of fire, we face threats like hot gases, smoke and heat transmission. These threats put the safe evacuation of people and protection of property at risk. Our glass solutions are able to resist such threats and suit the requirements of a complete range of building applications – including aesthetically appealing system solutions for seamless architectural integration. Whatever your requirements, we’re dedicated to providing multifunctional, fire-resistant glass solutions – for safe, beautiful, sustainable and comfortable buildings.
CUSTOM MADE GLASSES
Add more features to our glazing solutions to make your ideas a reality.
Vetrotech supports you in design-assisting your projects according to your requirements and even further. Take advantage of our capabilities and expertise to make your projects shine with multifunctional glass.
PASSIVE SECURITY WITH GLASS
Protecting people and propriety is our mission – with our range of high-security glass we enable customers and partners to join us in making this world a safer place.
When it comes to the protection of people, there can be no compromise in the choice of security precautions. In our modern times we are ever more threatened by willful manual attacks, dangerous shootings or explosions in public spaces. Our glass solutions are able to resist such threats and suit every requirement of building applications for seamless architectural integration. Whatever your requirements, we’re dedicated to providing multifunctional, high-security glass solutions – for safe, beautiful, sustainable and comfortable buildings.
EXTENDED RANGE OF FEATURES
CLEAR VIEW
THERMOVIT electrically-heated glass guarantees a safe view to the outside by preventing the creation of condensation or frost.
FLOOR
Bring natural daylight deep into the building with LITE FLOOR, you get a walkable or drivable glass floors with fire resistance up to 2 hours.
ALARM
STADIP ALARM sounds an active alert when broken for an elevated need of precaution.
EMS SHIELDING
EMS Stadip is the right solution to block electromagnetic radiation, to protect equipment from electronic interference or prevent eavesdropping in sensitive areas of a building.
PROTECTION
The PRO range offers security and confidence in the face of the combined threats of physical penetration and fire, ideal for fire doors & sidelights.
