An eco-friendly mural in Sandomierz, Poland, is another NSG Group initiative for the environment. The company provides solutions in the form of products that fit into the philosophy of sustainable development in various ways. One of them is Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass, thanks to which there is no need for frequent window washing, thus saving water, and reducing waste water. Another is Pilkington AviSafe™ bird safe glass, which has a special coating that is visible to birds, so they don’t bump into the glass during flight.
The new mural was made of special photocatalytic façade paints, which have the ability to reduce urban and industrial pollution from the air and have anti-smog properties. This unusual project was created under the supervision of the city’s conservation officer as a result of NSG Group’s cooperation with the Sandomierz City Hall and the Sandomierz Municipal and Housing Enterprise. The realization was entrusted to Wroclaw-based Donut Studio, which specializes in painting environmental murals.
The new mural is 16 metres high, 5 metres wide, and covers a total area of 80 square metres. The size plays to the advantage of Sandomierz residents, as the larger the surface is covered with photocatalytic paints, the more pollution is neutralized. On the other hand, the large surface provides the mural with high readability of the repositioned image. It refers to the legend of Salve Regina, which says that after the Tartars slaughtered 49 Sandomierz Dominicans, a mighty bull broke out of the monastery barn and set off in pursuit of the invaders. When he could not catch up with them, he made a mound with his hooves, on which he carved an inscription with his horns: “Salve Regina.”
NSG Group is striving to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and is actively working to make a positive impact on the environment through activities such as the world’s first tests of alternative fuels in glass production.
This program has led to the development of Pilkington Mirai™ low carbon glass. It is a low carbon footprint alternative to regular float glass, with the same performance, quality and aesthetics. The new glass is produced using a combination of alternative biofuel, high recycled glass content (as much as 50 percent) and green electricity sources. (100 percent of the electricity used to produce the glass comes from renewable sources)