Asahi Glass Co. announced 2 June 2004 that from July 2004 it will start marketing a new line of window glass that prevents the build-up of dirt.
The key to the self-cleaning property of the glass is …
Asahi Glass Co. announced 2 June 2004 that from July 2004 it will start marketing a new line of window glass that prevents the build-up of dirt. The key to the self-cleaning property of the glass is a coating of titanium oxide, a photocatalyst that decomposes organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation in sunlight triggers the decomposition of organic chemicals that are the main components of dirt on windows. Since titanium oxide is also water-repellent, the decomposed dirt easily washes off in the rain. According to Asahi Glass, normal windows need to be washed six times more often than those made with the new product. The company will market the glass for windows in commercial facilities, aiming for sales of JPY 3 billion (USD 27 million) in fiscal 2007.