Wiegand Glas, the German glass container manufacturer, has introduced new coating developments to help improve its production. Through a research and development partnership, the company has introduced a polymer coating process for glass bottles. The coating increases the bottles' interior pressure strength by 50% and by using the coating it is possible to cut the bottle weight by 30%. By colouring the polymer, Wiegand is able to produce bottles in any colour or shade required and can also produce frosted effects economically, and in an environmentally friendly manner. Other developments include a modified cold end treatment system after the lehr, giving better scratch resistance and minimising scuff marks. This system is being patented. A coating for metal parts has also been developed that have to endure high thermal stresses, making cleaning of the parts easier.
