Vitro to Highlight Technologies Shaping the Future of Architectural Glass at glasstec 2026
PITTSBURGH, October 15, 2026 – Vitro Architectural Glass, the largest architectural glass manufacturer in North America, will showcase its portfolio of advanced glass technologies at glasstec 2026, October 20-23 in Düsseldorf, Germany, highlighting innovations in thermal performance, sustainability, bird-safe design, aesthetics and more.
Glasstec brings together the global glass community to explore technologies and trends shaping the future of the industry, including sustainability, energy efficiency and advanced glass applications.
Some of Vitro’s featured products include:
Solarban Champane™ Crisp, Warm-Toned Low-e Glass
The first and only low-e coating in the industry that subtly reflects warm-neutral champagne tones while delivering the proven performance of Solarban® glass, Solarban Champane™ low-e glass perfectly complements the soft hues found in modern design and is a natural fit for all architectural palettes.

Solarban Champane™ Low-e Glass. (Photography: Noah Hilton)
EcoArmor™ Protective Topcoat
Vitro’s latest innovation protects coated glass through transportation, handling and fabrication, then is removed by furnace heat during tempering, eliminating traditional protective film waste and removal. EcoArmor™ Protective Topcoat is available on Solarban® 70 and Solarban® 90 glasses and delivers measurable environmental benefits both inside and outside the fabrication facility with no measurable harmful byproducts left behind.
VacuMax™ Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG)
One of Vitro’s highest-performing products, VacuMax™ VIG is now available with multiple Solarban® solar control, low-e coatings and delivers thermal performance rivaling traditional walls with R-values up to R20. The next generation of VacuMax™ VIG also delivers improved aesthetics by eliminating the vacuum port and concealing the “getters” from view. VacuMax™ VIG is often used to replace monolithic glazing in older buildings, making it ideal for retrofit projects.

Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design’s recent renovation includes VacuMax™ VIG units. (Photography: Tom Kessler)
BirdSmart® Bird Safe Glass
Vitro’s proprietary bird-safe glazing solution, BirdSmart® Bird Safe Glass features first surface, laser etched dot patterns with a Solarban® low-e coating on the second surface, helping deter bird collisions without compromising aesthetics or performance. BirdSmart® glass helps support compliance with existing and emerging bird-safe building requirements and can be customized to achieve a wide range of aesthetic and performance design goals.
Starphire Ultra-Clear® Glass
One of the world’s premiere low-iron glasses, Starphire Ultra-Clear® glass delivers exceptional clarity, unmatched transparency and proven protection for any internal, external or safety application. Up to 87% less green than conventional clear glass, Starphire Ultra-Clear® glass redefines visual excellence and elevates any project.
“Glasstec brings together many of the people shaping where the global glass industry goes next, making it an ideal setting to share the technologies we’re developing to address evolving design, performance and sustainability needs,” said Fernando Diez, Vice President of Marketing, Innovation & New Business Development, Vitro Architectural Glass. “From VIG advancements to new low-e coatings and bird safe solutions, these technologies demonstrate how we continue to reimagine what architectural glass can do.”
BirdSmart®, Solarban® and Starphire Ultra-Clear® are registered trademarks owned by Vitro.
EcoArmor™, Solarban Champane™ and VacuMax™ are trademarks owned by Vitro.
Cradle to Cradle Certified® is a registered trademark of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
About Vitro Architectural Glass
Vitro Architectural Glass is the largest glass producer in the Western Hemisphere, manufacturing a range of industry-leading products serving the construction, solar, transportation, defense and security markets worldwide. 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