FENSTERBAU FRONTALE: Review and Outlook

We now look back on the trade fair FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2018. On the joint booth of EPPA, RAL Gütegemeinschaft Kunststoff-Fensterprofilsysteme (GKFP) and VinylPlus®, visitors had the opportunity to learn more about the broad scope of our activities. It has to be noted that Stefan Eingärtner (VinylPlus) introduced the first sustainability label for PVC windows: the VinylPlus Product Label.

Those, who wanted to find out more about these two topics were invited to visit the PVC window quality conference. This event was organized by Gütegemeinschaft (Germany), KIWA (Netherlands) and CSTB (France). The speakers were Hubert Lagier (CSTB), Arjen van der Drift (KIWA) and Bernhard Elias (GKFP). Of major interest was the project report on the joint Triple Audit that has been now introduced in most of the system suppliers. A particular interest was shown on how a further project dealing with mutual recognition of test results is progressing. Being now a fixed part of the quality conference Peter Czajkowski, Chairman of the Quality Committee, had the pleasure to hand over the latest certificates for profile systems according to RAL-GZ 716.

FRONTALE FORUM

Stefan Eingärtner took the opportunity to present the VinylPlus Product Label during the FENSTERBAU FRONTALE FORUM, a new information platform established by Nürnberg Messe. System suppliers Veka, Schüco, Epwin and Rehau were the first companies which have applied for, and succeeded to get it. In his presentation, the VinylPlus representative explained the added value it offers: "With the VinylPlus Product Label, end consumers recognize sustainable products immediately. And for the window manufacturer this means clear competitive advantages."

PROWINDO press conference

News and future prospects of associations around the PVC window supply chain were also discussed at the PROWINDO press conference: Gerald Feigenbutz, Managing Director of QKE, GKFP and EPPA, presented the three pillars of the communication policy: "We specifically address our target groups: For our members and their market we have issued environmental product declarations and a study on the absence of VOC in PVC windows. Furthermore, we supported a study on energy efficient buildings initiated by DENA.

Technical guidelines

New guidelines dealing with manufacturing technologies like foil lamination, corner welding, surface cleaning and specifics of colored surfaces round out the portfolio and inform technicians on the handling of processes and products. Last but not least, by the help of our recent PVC window magazine “Windows for Life”, consumers learn what is important when buying PVC windows."

The new guidelines on "Welding" and "Coloured Profiles" are now available online under Publications.

We would like to thank all trade fair visitors for their interest in our program as well as for many stimulating discussions and exhaustive exchange of information. After the FRONTALE is before the FRONTALE: In this spirit, we look forward to see you again in Nuremberg on March 18-21, 2020.