Growing awareness in Europe: advancing bird-friendly glass solutions.
On April 25, the Glass for Europe secretariat paid a visit to Orion Laser Tech, a company specializing in the development of glass lasering machinery. One notable application of our technology is the creation of bird-friendly markings to reduce bird fatalities and protect biodiversity.
While the full extent of the problem remains uncertain due to limited data, it is estimated that millions of birds die annually in Europe from collisions with glass surfaces. This issue will likely be exacerbated by urban expansion and increased pressure on bird habitats. Although awareness of the problem has risen recently, the glass and glazing industry has been working on solutions for many years.
Birds, like humans, rely on visual cues to navigate, making the transparency and reflectivity of glass particularly hazardous. Birds may fail to recognize glass as a barrier or may be misled by reflections of their surroundings, such as trees or bushes. This problem can be mitigated by making glass more visible to birds through various markings with patterns. As developed by Orion Laser Tech, laser-engraving technology is one effective method for reducing bird collisions.
Research in this field is advancing quickly. The flat glass and glazing industry is heavily investing in research and development, collaborating with ornithologists to create effective solutions that maintain the visual, thermal, and solar control properties of glass.
During their visit, ORION Laser Tech had the opportunity to showcase the bird-friendly and Low-E decoating systems, highlighting our commitment to sustainability and our knowledge about glass processing systems. The exchange was mutually beneficial, enriching our perspective on industry standards and collaborative efforts.
We’re excited to keep working together and team up on these important projects!
To learn more about this topic, read the informative paper “Designing bird-friendly buildings” by Glass For Europe below.
