Coated glass: AGC modernizes its magnetron coater in Lodelinsart

AGC Glass Europe announces the modernization of its magnetron coater at its Lodelinsart industrial site in Belgium. This investment will enable the glassmaker to produce new high-performance coatings and gain flexibility in manufacturing more complex glazing.

The amount of the investment has not been disclosed. AGC does, however, mention a significant capital injection intended to strengthen the competitiveness of this production unit, whose glazing is sold on international markets.

Almost invisible layers deposited on the glass

The Lodelinsart site specializes in the manufacture of silver-based coated glass. Its magnetron coater allows for the deposition of extremely thin layers of metal and metal oxide onto the glass.

Virtually invisible, these coatings modify the properties of the glazing without blocking light transmission. Depending on their composition, they can limit heat loss or reduce solar heat gain.

AGC thus produces two main families of glazing:

• low-emissivity glazing, designed to improve the thermal insulation of the building envelope;
• Solar control glazing, designed to limit some of the heat gain through glazed surfaces.

These functions can help reduce heating needs in winter and cooling needs in summer. However, actual performance depends on the overall composition of the glazing, its orientation, and its integration into the facade.

An expanded range of high-performance glazing

The technological upgrade should allow AGC to expand its catalog to include new high-performance coatings. It should also provide the necessary flexibility to manufacture more complex coated glass products and develop new combinations of thermal and solar properties.

This development particularly concerns the markets for glazed facades, windows, curtain walls and other architectural applications for which the luminous, thermal and solar characteristics must be precisely defined.

AGC is not currently releasing thermal transmittance, solar factor, or light transmission values ​​for its future products. The composition of the new range and its detailed performance specifications will therefore need to be examined upon its commercial launch.

Commissioning is expected in the third quarter of 2026.

The modernized line is expected to be operational during the third quarter of 2026. The announced schedule remains provisional and the company has not specified whether the work would require a temporary interruption of existing production.

This modernization should allow AGC to maintain local production of coated glazing in Belgium and to meet the needs of specifiers, facade builders, joiners and glass processors seeking solutions adapted to improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

“At AGC, we believe in glass not only as a sustainable material of the future, but also as a true catalyst, capable of regulating heating, lighting and air conditioning. By investing in the modernization of our coating plant in Lodelinsart, we are giving a new future to our local production of high-performance coated glass.” declares Davide Cappellino, President of Architectural Glass Europe & Americas.

Vacuum glazing is also produced in Lodelinsart

The Belgian site also houses a vacuum insulating glass manufacturing operation for the architectural market. This production is a separate activity from the coated glass line involved in the new investment.

AGC Glass Europe produces, processes, and markets flat glass for the building, automotive, and various industrial sectors. The company states that it has over 100 sites in Europe and employs approximately 12.300 people.