Sichuan Xionggang Glass Co., Ltd. received a Technology Innovation award (third prize) at the 2023 China Building Materials Circulation Association Science and Technology Awards, presented on 2 December 2023. The award was given for the company’s “nano-silica composite insulating fire-rated glass” project. The association’s awards are approved by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (registration no. 0199); 109 projects were selected in the 2023 cycle.
The product is a laminated insulating fire-rated glass (“EI” class) assembly. Two glass panes are bonded with an internal cavity filled with nano-silica fire-resistant liquid. When exposed to fire, the outer pane breaks quickly; the liquid then foams and expands under heat to form an insulating barrier that blocks flames and radiant heat. The unexposed pane remains intact, providing integrity for 1, 2 or 3 hours while the foamed layer limits heat transfer.
Xionggang notes that while laminated insulating fire-rated glass is common in developed markets, adoption in China had previously been limited by technical complexity and cost. Founded in 2000, the company fabricates monolithic non-insulating fire-rated glass (E class), composite insulating fire-rated glass (EI class), Low-E insulating glass units, laminated glass, curved tempered glass and ceramic frit glass. It holds ISO 9001:2000, 3C compulsory certification for safety glass, energy-efficiency product certification and fire-rated glass test reports. In 2019 it was designated a national high-tech enterprise, and in 2020 it participated in drafting the national standard for fire-rated glass.