Viewcol, a unique and innovative glass imagery product from Australia, will be introduced in the Middle East market by the UAE-based IQ Interlayers at the Big 5 show next month.

Viewcol is high-quality imagery on PET (polyethylene terepthalate) foil for lamination in glass. The specialised products, states the company, allow designers and architects to create innovative solutions using digital high-resolution images in a virtually unlimited number of applications.
“Viewcol uses photographic-quality dyes, which give a wider colour range and colour intensity than any conventional printing process. This depth of colour will be the future benchmark for digital imagery in glass,” says Andreas Nordmann, CEO of IQ Interlayers, which is marketing the product in the UAE.
The high-resolution imagery is laminated with Evasafe film in glass by qualified glass processors.
Evasafe is an EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate)-based thermoset adhesive film with a 3D cross-linking capability developed by Bridgestone of Japan as an interlayer film for laminated glass.
“An interesting additional value in using Viewcol is the strength of this laminate. The combination of Evasafe and Viewcol provides a strong compound, allowing the use of thinner glass. Less weight in structural applications means more freedom of design and less cost for the construction,” says Nordmann. “Due to the superior quality of the laminate, Viewcol also can be used in humid environment, including open-edge applications without the risk of delamination, for example in bathrooms and kitchens. It has been tested for exterior use such as for facades and glass domes, surpassing the EN standards.”
The product can be used in various applications including partitions, wall features, shower panels, kitchens, splashbacks, tables, benchtops, glass floors, restaurants, art galleries and signage. Being tested for exterior use, there is no limitation for the use in facades and outdoor glazing in general, he says.
Viewcol is currently being aggressively promoted in the worldwide market. The product will go on show this month at two of the leading glass-products related exhibitions worldwide – at GlassBuild America, Las Vegas US, this month (October 6 to 8), followed by Glasstec in Dusseldorf, Germany (October 21 to 25).
At the Big 5 show, IQ Interlayers will be displaying some special laminations using Viewcol. These include the first solar panel with high-resolution colour images, addressing the building integrated photovoltaic market.
Says Eric Seifried, sales and marketing director of Viewcol Australia, who is looking forward to the launch of the product at the show: “The glass industry regards our imagery to be the best they have ever seen. Our product enables designers, architects and developers to fulfil their wildest dreams in the field of imagery in glass.”
IQ Interlayers is the official distributor for Middle East and North Africa for Evasafe and Insert Solution International.
Evasafe, once cured, is thermally stable and does not contain any plasticisers. It is currently the intermediate layer that offers the maximum quality in the glass and laminated polymer industry, with 3D reticulation capacity, according to the company. It is also used in the manufacture of photovoltaic modules and intelligent glazing such as the LCD.
“Evasafe’s unique characteristics give laminated glass excellent durability and resistance to the passage of time. It also gives laminated glass superior optical and transparency properties. On the other hand, it can be stored without special requirements and also has excellent compatibility with various polymers and many other insertions.
“The product is increasingly applied as an adhesive for photovoltaic modules and for a variety of optical products, due to its excellent adhesion, durability/aging, optical properties, easy process handling and storage, high strength and stability, low moisture ingression,” Nordmann concludes.