Energy consumption is the single largest overhead expense in the operation of large buildings and glass is the weakest link and the biggest potential source of heat gain into air-conditioned buildings, according to Jerry Dowling, general manager of Dubai-based Emirates Glass.

Since glass is considered a very critical component in controlling this expense, several methods such as varying the thickness of glass, tinting, providing reflective coatings and double-glazing have been considered to reduce this heat gain, he said.

Recently, briefing designers for Dubai's latest major addition, the Dh650 million ($177 million) Dubai International Convention Centre (DICC), on the efficacy of using proper glass facades to check the inflow of heat and consequently to bring down energy consumption, he said, 'Daylight is the most efficient way to light up a building. But in the typical Gulf summer, light equals heat, and so daylight becomes the least efficient way of maintaining cool and comfortable interiors.

The presentation on Emirates Glass' product range, especially its premium product - EmiCool - was attended by 35 staff members of the architectural design company, Robert Matthew Johnson Marshall (RMJM), at the latter's offices in the DICC premises.

'EmiCool range of energy-efficient glass is perhaps the best product currently in the market to significantly reduce electricity bills when used properly. It is the right glass, has an aesthetic appearance, provides a good night view by reducing indoor reflection and, most importantly, helps to save on electricity,' said Dowling.

EmiCool offers superb natural reflection and is free from distortion. The high performance glass enhances ambience and creates a wonderful feeling of space. EmiCool mirrors are supplied with an application of vinyl film on the rear to prevent fall-out in the event of a severe impact and also to ensure safety of the occupants, according to him.

Ziad Yazbeck, sales and marketing manager of Emirates Glass, said the company has launched a strategic partnership programme under which a series of technical workshops with clients and designers are being held.
'The programme has seven sessions planned in Dubai alone, and at least 10 staff members from our partners will be attending for each programme. It will be extended throughout the Middle East and will serve as a forum to discuss the requirements of clients and update them on Emirates Glass products to meet customers' needs,' Yazbeck said.

Recently, Emirates Glass supplied close to 10,000 sq m of EmiCool high performance glass to a number of important projects in Dubai including the upcoming luxury hotel development Madinat Jumeirah in a tight schedule of two weeks.

'When it comes to meeting delivery deadlines, Emirates Glass factory continues to show that it is able to satisfy even the most tightest schedules demanded by our valued customers,' commented Dowling.
Against tight deadlines, Emirates Glass supplied 4,000 sq m of EmiCool to Madinat Jumeirah. In the same time frame, it was able to complete deliveries of 2,300 sq m to Al Qasr Hotel in Sharjah of 2,300 sq m of EmiCool and an additional 3,500 sq m to Phase 1 of Emaar Properties' Green Community Villas.

'Contracts from demanding and prestigious projects such as Madinat Jumeirah and Green Community are always a prime target for us. They demand only the best and we supply only the best,' said Dowling.

 'Emirates Glass has been successful in penetrating important overseas markets that are only going to grow and expand the demand for the Dubai-based company's products,' said Dowling. 'The quality of our products and the solid image of our company is such that we have had buyers coming from as far away as Hyderabad. India is large producer of glass itself, but still our product was sought out for the Hytec City in Hyderabad, which ordered 1,600 sq m of glass products from us.'

This is in addition to the 1,327 sq m of glass supplied recently to Wellington Mews Hotel in Mumbai. Other buyers include the Weil Cornell Medical College in Doha and Agricultural Bank in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
'We have made a beginning in the export markets which now account for about 10 per cent of the total production capacity of up to 60,000 sq m depending on the product mix. However, we completed supplies even to overseas projects in between two to three weeks,' he said.

'We are now looking to get more aggressively into Asia and Europe - especially the UK market. These will be tough to penetrate, but our product strength will be our advantage and I am sure we will succeed,' he added.