“Glassbel” from Klaipėda will cooperate with the US manufacturer of smart glass technology

Glassbel Baltic, an architectural glass manufacturer operating in the Klaipėda Free Economic Zone (LEZ), has agreed on a strategic partnership with Halio, a developer of smart glass solutions from the USA. This cooperation will allow the citizens of Klaipėda to implement the solutions of the US company with light transmission control systems in their products and to distribute them in European, Middle Eastern and other markets.

Globally addressing the challenges of energy efficiency and sustainability in modern architecture, Glassbel, exporting to 30 countries on 4 continents, will now be able to offer smart glass facade solutions using smart Halio technologies. The smart solution consists of glass products with an integrated Halio device that reacts to the changing environment, so the glass darkens or brightens accordingly in real time, thus reducing air conditioning or heating costs. American technology, which consists of a complex set of sensors, switches, chemicals, hardware and software, and artificial intelligence, ensures not only human comfort, but also greater energy efficiency of buildings.

According to Glassbel Baltic’s commercial manager Valdas Virbalas, the agreement with the Americans will allow the Klaipėda company to strengthen its portfolio of innovative products. Having passed the complex testing process of the US company, Glassbel will be the sole representative and manufacturer of Halio technology in Europe and the Middle East region, at least for a while.

“Such smart facade glass solutions worldwide remain an innovation that the market will have to recognize, learn to work with and invest in.” But the themes of sustainability and energy efficiency have been dominating new buildings for some time, so we are happy to add a relevant innovation to the portfolio and further strengthen our position in the innovative architectural glass market. We are currently completing the first small real project with Halio technology and exporting it to the US Silicon Valley, whose business community is currently the most interested in and using smart technologies, – comments V. Virbalas.

According to Halio CEO Bruce Sohn, Glassbel’s quality, experience and broad market geography make this partnership extremely valuable for both parties.

“By working together, we will be able to offer our most advanced technology to customers in Europe and the Middle East.” We are proud that together we will be able to offer the most ecological and energy-efficient solution in smart facades,” says B. Sohn.

And according to Glassbel CEO Dmitriy Sobolevsky, Halio’s solution is the best on the market in terms of response speed, facade integrity and aesthetics.

“We are pleased to partner with global leaders in smart glass technology. The Halio solution is revolutionary, reacts much faster to the changing environment, is aesthetically neutral and long-lasting, and technologically more reliable than any alternative,” says D. Sobolevskis.

Eimantas Kiudulas, head of the Klaipėda SEZ, also welcomes this partnership, emphasizing that Glassbel will be both more sustainable and more competitive with the US company’s technology.

“We are happy that with this step Glassbel is strengthening several strategic areas of the Klaipėda SEZ – production of high added value, application of new technologies and environmental protection and sustainability”, comments E. Kiudulas.

Halio was founded in 2010. California, USA. The company markets its solutions both on its own and through partners, including Glassbel. Halio has raised more than 300 million in its history. US dollar investments, including from South Korean telecommunications giant SK Holdings, Capricorn Investment Group, a US fund specializing in sustainable investments, and other investors.

Glassbel’s revenue last year reached 22 million. EUR – a quarter more than in 2021. About 180 colleagues currently work in the company. Klaipėda SEZ “Glassbel” has been operating since 2008. The company exports more than 90% of its production, mainly to Ireland, Great Britain, USA, Western Europe, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia and other markets.