An International Group Dedicated to the Glass Industry
Saint-Gobain SEFPRO is the only refractory group worldwide fully dedicated to
and streamlined for offering top-of-the-line refractory solutions specifically
to the Glass Indutries. - With its 9 manufacturing sites around the world,
Saint-Gobain SEFPRO offers total reactivity to the Glassmakers needs, combining
the power of a global player and its large available resources with the
proximity of local partners. - Saint-Gobain SEFPRO also has the largest
research centres in the world specialising in refractories and their interaction
with all types of glasses, and has been leading the industry for decades in the
development of new materials.
The latest examples of this innovation power are:
ER 2001 SLX, a completely new generation of AZS
fused-cast refractory with practically no exudation at furnaces' working
temperatures.
New ZA33LB and ZA33HR feeder expandables materials, bringing innovative
answers to the issues of transitory blistering of plungers or random breakage of
tubes.
HPAL, a second generation of high alumina sintered material for feeder
channels, with exceptional performance both in corrosion and glass quality.
Zirchrom 85, the ultimate high chromia material for the
most demanding applications in insulation fibre and soda lime glasses (throats),
with its unequalled thermal shock resistance.
Other well known solutions proposed by Saint-Gobain SEFPRO include:
Dense chromes with improved thermal shock resistance, in large, complex
shapes.
Dense zircons with improved thermal shock resistance.
Dense tin oxide electrodes.
Fused mullite for melter crowns and superstructure applications.
Fused-cast AZS sidewalls with heights of up to 2.5 meters.
High zirconia fused-cast products for TV and special glasses.
New types of cruciforms with higher thermal efficiency and greater
resistance against silica carry-over and alkaline vapours.
Spout Lip casing "ready-for-installation" in float glass
furnaces.
Monolithic Lip Stones up to 2.8 meters length, with very
low blistering.
To help glassmakers reach their goals, the team works closely with each of
them throughout the life of the furnace , providing an entire range of
additional services:
Furnace design assistance.
Assistance in the choice of refractories, optimization of blocks sizes.
On-site assembly assistance.
Supply of complete, pre-assembled sub-units.
Assistance in furnace pre-heating.
Periodic check-up of the furnace performance, wear, evolution forecasts,
etc...
Organization of rapid trouble-shooting for exceptional emergency
evaluations.
Management of worn refractories.
Integrating feedback to improve the design of the next furnaces.
Glass defect analysis.
History Milestones
1929 : Corning and
Saint-Gobain set-up in Modane, France, "L' ELECTRO-REFRACTAIRE" for the
production of fused cast refractories for glass furnaces.
1947 : A new production
site is selected in Le Pontet, near Avignon, France.
1971 : Acquisition of
REFRADIGE (Italia) (now SEPR ITALIA S.p.A). This fused cast materials
manufacturing facility was established in 1960, under the name of
"SICEDISON"
1991 : Signature of a Joint
Venture agreement for the production of fused cast refractories in China (ZPER
Co. Ltd.).
1996 : Integration of
SAVOIE REFRACTAIRES (France). SAVOIE, established in 1898, is specialized in
manufacturing bonded materials for the Glass Industry.
2001 : ZPER is renamed
"Beijing SEPR Refractories." Inauguration of a new plant in Changping
(Beijing)
2002 : Integration of CUMI
(India) created in 1977, now SEPR Refractories India Ltd.
2003 : Toshiba Monofrax,
now Saint-Gobain TM K.K, joins the Saint-Gobain SEFPRO family.
2006 : Start of Linyi Saint-Gobain Refractory (JV)
China.
