PITTSBURGH, November 4, 2025 – Vitro Architectural Glass, in collaboration with VIG Technologies and LandVac – the developer of LandVac^® Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG) technology – have entered a long-term, exclusive agreement that will enable Vitro to produce and sell VacuMax^™ VIG units in North America.

This landmark agreement marks the culmination of years of market development that first brought LandVac^® VIG technology to North America. Through this collaboration, Vitro intends to acquire the equipment and licensing necessary to commence domestic production to accelerate the adoption of fully tempered, high-performance VacuMax^™ VIG units.

This continued collaboration comes at a pivotal time as the North American market shifts to high-efficiency façades and sustainable building envelopes, reflecting a global trend of energy-conscious architecture. It also secures a long-term runway for Vitro to establish the best-in-class technology in the North American marketplace exclusively.

“Through extensive evaluation and testing, LandVac^® proved to have superior VIG technology in terms of durability, thermal performance and aesthetics. We are very pleased to reach this agreement to provide customers throughout North America with even faster access to one of our highest-performing products,” said Ricardo Maiz, President of Vitro Architectural Glass. “This long-term agreement will allow us to meet the growing demand for VIG products and streamline the production supply chain with direct shipping. This is a significant first step in Vitro’s long-term commitment to expand VIG production capacity with multiple lines and production locations across North America.”

Michael Spellman, CEO of VIG Technologies, shares the same excitement about Vitro’s commitment. “This milestone represents the next step in our mission to bring fully tempered vacuum glass to North America,” said Spellman. “We’ve been working with LandVac since 2008, when the first concept of commercial VIG was being proven, and it’s remarkable to see how far the technology has come. Through Vitro’s ability to bring their VacuMax^™ VIG direct to market, with the goal of ultimately manufacturing right here in North America, we’re giving architects and fabricators a faster, more sustainable path to the next generation of energy-efficient glass.”

“We began this journey at the turn of the century with a simple vision, to make vacuum glass both practical and scalable,” said Mr. Zhao Yan, LandVac Chairman. “Our first demonstration line was introduced in 2008, our first production line launched in 2015 and today we are already delivering our third generation of LandVac^® technology with even more exciting innovations coming soon. Seeing Vitro’s plan to manufacture VacuMax^™ is deeply rewarding and marks an important milestone for our global partners and the future of energy-efficient glass.”

Vitro Architectural Glass Senior Vice President of Value-Added Business, Juan Manuel Rodriguez, shares the parties’ enthusiasm. “This partnership will introduce an expanded range of high-performance glass configurations in North America, creating limitless growth opportunities. LandVac^® utilizes cutting-edge VIG technology, highlighted by its safety and strength, R-values up to R20 and elimination of vacuum ports and concealed ‘getters,’ which is a perfect fit for our trusted and proven portfolio. We are pleased to enhance the offerings available to architects, designers, industry partners and customers.”

The renovated Hugel Welcome Center in Markle Hall on the Lafayette College campus offers a bright and warm reception to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors. It’s the first U.S.-based project to feature VacuMax™ Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG) by Vitro. (Photography: Jim Cunningham)

In 2024, Vitro refined VacuMax^™ VIG to deliver even better thermal performance and improved aesthetics. Now manufactured exclusively with Solarban^® 70 solar-control, low-e glass by Vitro, which enables a massive 79% improvement in U-values and delivers world-leading wall-like R-values of up to R20, it is also available with Vitro’s full range of Solarban^® glasses.

In addition to the improved thermal performance, recent visual upgrades have dramatically enhanced the unit’s aesthetics thanks to eliminated vacuum ports and concealed “getters.”

The latest generation of VacuMax™ VIG features a cleaner look and improved sight lines, making for a more attractive unit.

Delivering insulation performance 3-5 times better than conventional insulating glass units and up to 20 times better than monolithic glass, VacuMax™ VIG is a seamless fit for traditional glazing systems, window frames or curtainwall applications.

Often used to replace monolithic glazing in older buildings, making it well-suited for retrofit projects, VacuMax™ VIG has been featured in several recent historic renovations and expansions, including the Pittsburgh Glass Center, a longtime Vitro partner, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design’s Gund Hall.

Additionally, in 2024, the Cohen Federal Building in Washington, DC, was selected by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) as a Green Proving Ground program testing location. Several windows at the Cohen Federal Building feature VacuMax™ VIG, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will conduct testing and performance evaluations for this effort.

Vitro donated Solarban^® 72 Starphire^® glass and VacuMax™ VIG for both the interior and exterior renovation and expansion of the Pittsburgh Glass Center. This project marks the first use of VIG on a Pittsburgh project. (Photography: Jim Cunningham)

VacuMax™ VIG is ideal for residential and commercial projects, including new construction, office buildings, educational institutions, hospitality and healthcare. Thanks to its innovative insulating technology, VacuMax™ VIG delivers extraordinary thermal performance wherever needed.

“This moment would not be possible if not for Michael and Carolyn Spellman, founders of IGE Glass Technologies and VIG Technologies, who were trailblazers in advancing VIG in North America, said Maiz. “Although Vitro will be working more directly with LandVac through the renewed agreements, Vitro and VIG will continue to be trusted partners as we collaborate to advance this next generation technology.”

For more information about VacuMax™ VIG, visit vacumaxvig.com. For more information about all other Vitro products, visit www.vitroglazings.com or call 1-855-VTRO-GLS (887-6457).

About Vitro Architectural Glass

Vitro Architectural Glass is the largest glass producer in the Western Hemisphere, manufacturing a range of industry-leading, energy-efficient, high-performance products such as Solarban^®, Sungate^® and Starphire Ultra-Clear^® glasses. Committed to continually raising the industry standard for sustainability, Vitro was the first U.S. glass manufacturer to have its complete collection of architectural glass products earn Cradle to Cradle Certified^® status and the first North American manufacturer to publish third-party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for flat glass and processed glass products. Additionally, as of April 2024, all Vitro architectural glass products meet the Top 20% Low Embodied Carbon (LEC) material Global Warming Potential (GWP) threshold the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) established pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and related guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Vitro operates seven glass production facilities across North America, four residential glass fabrication plants in Canada and one of the world’s largest glass research and development facilities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit VitroGlazings.com.

Media Contact:
Robert J. Struble
Vitro Architectural Glass
412-820-8138
rstruble@vitro.com
vitroglazings.com