Glass major Asahi India Glass Ltd (AIS) has entered the glass replacement and retrofitting market by introducing AIS Renew in India. According to the company, AIS Renew is a revolutionary solution which converts a glazed unit (SGU or IGU) into an energy-saving insulated glazed unit (IGU) by installing Low-E (low emissivity) glass from the inside. The installation procedure is very quick and does not require any scaffolding, which makes it an ideal solution for energy-saving renovations in existing buildings.

Vikram Khanna, COO–architectural institutional business, and CMO of the company, says, “The global market size of retrofitting and replacement of glass is estimated as 40% of glass used in the construction/architectural segment. The governments in developed countries provide incentives (in terms of tax benefits) to the building owners for retrofitting, for the purpose of reducing energy consumption and increasing the green rating of the buildings.”

Khanna adds that in India glass retrofitting is at a very nascent phase. He is hopeful that with an increase in awareness about carbon footprint, retrofitting old buildings by incorporating energy-efficient glass solutions will drive the market for replacement glass. “AIS has introduced AIS Renew to address the need of glass retrofitting in India.”

Explaining the benefits of the new offering, Khanna states that AIS Renew provides the benefit of reducing heat gain in buildings due to its excellent energy-saving properties, without compromising on the natural light coming inside or the brilliant aesthetics that add value to the façade. And in winter, they ensure solar gain. “AIS Renew helps in cutting energy costs by reducing load on air-conditioners and cutting down on artificial lighting.”