Bundesverband Flachglas (BF): The voice of the flat glass industry in Germany
The Bundesverband Flachglas (BF) has been the central voice of the flat glass industry in Germany for many years. The association competently represents the interests of flat glass manufacturers and processors and acts as an advisor, informant and mediator between industry, politics and consumers.
In doing so, we focus on three central pillars:
■ Standardisation and technology
■ Political representation of interests
■ PR work and marketing
The Gütegemeinschaft Flachglas (GGF), which is affiliated to the BF, awards two RAL quality marks for multi-pane insulating glass (MIG) and heat-strengthened toughened safety glass (ESG-HF).
“Standardization and Technology” Field
The technical work of BF includes working groups dealing with “Warm Edge”, “Insulating Glass”, “Safety Glass”, “Glass Dimensioning” or “Systems Inside Cavity”. Its job is above all to define technical standards for assuring product quality. In addition, working groups within BF devise appropriate guides and guidelines, for example on handling multiple-sheet insulating glass and on the use of triple-pane thermal insulation glass.
BF works closely and amicably with other associations in the window industry and with professionals on other technical projects. For example, the “Richtlinie zur Beurteilung der visuellen Qualität von Glas für das Bauwesen” (guideline for assessment of the visual quality of glass for the construction industry) was written as a joint effort. On national and international standardization committees, BF represents the interests of its member companies, initiating research projects on issues relevant to the industry, for example on sustainability and the Environmental Product Declaration, on thermal insulation during the summer, on the emission behaviour of windows or on the consideration of solar heat production within an energetic balance.
“Political Representation of Interests” Field
At the political level, BF is closely involved in the drafting of energy-saving regulations. With the upcoming German “Gebäudeenergiegesetz” (GEG) in mind, it supports efforts for solar gain and summertime thermal insulation to be taken into consideration. In the interests of the flat glass industry, it was several times able to help prevent the planned reduction in the permissible solar input, which would have resulted in smaller glass surfaces in buildings.
For the GEG, BF is working closely with eminent scientists to create models that take sufficient account of free-of-charge solar energy and daylight gains through glass and windows. BF has advocated from the very start a changeover to triple-pane heat-insulated glass as the standard product of tomorrow, while giving the political world the message that its members are in a position to achieve this changeover in production.
The important topic of energy-efficient modernization of buildings with glass and windows is being jointly promoted with many contact persons both in the realm of politics and in other associations; BF is a member of the BDI-initiative “Energieeffiziente Gebäude” (energy-efficient buildings) as well as of the “Allianz für Gebäude-Energie-Effizienz geea” (alliance for energy efficiency of buildings geea) and a central partner for discussion of these issues with the relevant federal ministries.
“Public Relations and Marketing” Field
The BF informs end consumers and the trade press about news, products and services. To this end, the association produces press releases and brochures, publishes a monthly newsletter for association members and provides industry-relevant information via the social media channels Instagram and LinkedIn.
Glass is good
The website and Instagram page Glas-ist-gut.de show the various areas of application of flat glass and its function. It also explains the production, properties and recycling of glass in more detail: glass has become an indispensable part of modern architecture. Glass is also important for daylight. As 90% of our time nowadays is spent indoors, light is important for human health.
The BF network: creating synergies and promoting innovation
Through events such as the Glass Congress and various symposia, the BF promotes dialogue within the industry and creates valuable synergies between manufacturers, processors and other stakeholders. The BF’s extensive network offers members and sponsors access to key contacts in the flat glass industry.
The Bundesverband Flachglas (BF) emerged in 1987 from a merger of the Bundesverband des Deutschen Flachglas-Großhandels, the Bundesverband der Deutschen Isolierglashersteller and the Fachverband Flachglas veredelnde Industrie. Today, the BF has around 80 member companies with twice as many production sites and around 60 supporting members. The office is located in Troisdorf in the Cologne/Bonn area.
The Bundesverband Flachglas (BF) was created in 1987 by the fusion of the following German associations: Bundesverband des Deutschen Flachglas-Großhandels, Bundesverband der Deutschen Isolierglashersteller, and Fachverband Flachglas Veredelnde Industrie. Today, the BF has around 80 member companies with twice as many production sites and around 60 supporting members. Its headquarters is in Troisdorf, in the Cologne/Bonn region.
BF Articles of Association
BF Mission Statement
