--- title: Technical Forum: Sustainable and Cost Effective, EcoArmor™ Protective Topcoat Safeguards Low-e Glass During Transit, Storage and Fabrication description: Discover EcoArmor™ Protective Topcoat, a sustainable solution for low-e glass that streamlines fabrication, reduces waste, and enhances production efficiency. image: https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hubfs/VCN/EcoArmor%20UPG_HR-65%20(1).png --- [![VCN_Hor_RGB.png](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VCN_Hor_RGB.png?width=320&name=VCN_Hor_RGB.png "VCN_Hor_RGB.png")](https://blog.vitroglazings.com/vcn) # *Vitro Certified*® Newsletter ### The *Vitro Certified*® Newsletter is a quarterly newsletter for glass fabricators, laminators and window manufacturers within the *Vitro Certified*® Network. For more information about the *Vitro Certified*® Network, visit Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG Glass) at [VitroGlazings.com](https://www.vitroglazings.com). --- ## Technical Forum: Sustainable and Cost Effective, EcoArmor™ Protective Topcoat Safeguards Low-e Glass During Transit, Storage and Fabrication Posted by [Vitro Architectural Glass](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/author/vitro-architectural-glass) on Jul 20, 2026, 12:30:02 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Eliminating time consuming film removal and environmental waste, Vitro’s *EcoArmor*™ Protective Topcoat delivers full surface solar control low-e glass protection during transit, storage and fabrication.  ![EcoArmor UPG_HR-65 (1)](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VCN/EcoArmor%20UPG_HR-65%20(1).png?width=711&height=427&name=EcoArmor%20UPG_HR-65%20(1).png) Engineered to remain on the surface through fabrication, low-e glass covered in *EcoArmor*™ Protective Topcoat tempers faster and flatter and reduces edge kink by up to 33% on glass with pre-temper edge deletion and minimizes roll wave distortion. Skipping the messy and tedious process of pealing protective film off the glass, not to mention the expense and non-eco-friendly practice of waste removal, the topcoat is fully compatible with standard fabrication practices. Consequently, fabricators can proceed straight to processing, using the same equipment already in place. This effectively streamlines fabrication workflows from cutting to seaming to washing and decreases cycle times by 10 to 20%. “*EcoArmor*™ Protective Topcoat is a more sustainable, future-ready alternative to traditional protective films, which are time consuming, messy and send unnecessary material to landfills while adding complexity and inefficiencies to glass fabrication,” said Fernando Diez, Vice President of Marketing, Innovation & New Business Development, Vitro. Currently available on select *Solarban*® glass products, including *Solarban*® 90 glass and *Solarban*® 70 glass, trials with *Vitro Certified*® fabricators revealed observations of more uniform glass exiting the furnace as compared to traditional temporary protective films. Fabricators also reported improved production flow and higher overall quality. *EcoArmor*™ Protective Topcoat is a non-toxic coating with no harmful ingredients. The protective coating burns off in the heat-treatment oven, leaving no particles or odor. Meanwhile, *Solarban*® glass performance remains fully intact. To optimize *EcoArmor*™ Protective Topcoat quality and performance, the following guidelines through processing are recommended: - Storage and Handling: Avoid unnecessary contact with the coated glass surface, store glass indoors and use low-e slings when moving glass. - Cutting: A regular cutting wheel can be used, along with scoring the glass consistently and achieving a high-quality edge. The cutting parameters are similar to glass with TPF protection. This includes a 5° to 10° sharper wheel with a lower angle value than uncoated or un-filmed glass. In addition, pressure may need to be increased by 5 to10 lbs. - Seaming: Glass edges can be seamed using conventional seaming equipment. While dry seaming is preferred, wet seaming is also acceptable. If wet seamed, ensure that none of the seaming liquid is allowed to dry on the glass. - Washing: Use low-e brushes in washers that handle low-glass and don’t stop the glass cycle inside the washer. The *EcoArmor*™ Protective Topcoat is not water soluble and will not dissolve in the washer. - Heat Treating: The coating supports a more efficient heat-treatment process as it allows the low-e coated glass to heat up faster. Begin the process with the current recipe and cycle time as a baseline. Then reduce in 5% increments until acceptable distortion quality results are achieved. Continue normal break pattern tests. It is not recommended that any furnace doors be opened to prevent incomplete combustion. With *EcoArmor*™ Protective Topcoat production and availability stronger than ever, now is the ideal time to evaluate how this technology can support your operations. Contact your Vitro representative to request a trial pack or arrange a technical product review. We encourage you to explore more information about *EcoArmor*™ Protective Topcoat. For general information, click [here](https://www.vitroglazings.com/about/news/vitro-architectural-glass-introduces-ecoarmor-protective-topcoat-offering-film-free-protection-for-select-solarban-glasses/). To delve into the details, see [Technical Document TD-156](https://www.vitroglazings.com/media/sxxdoegk/tech_doc_156.pdf). #### Newsletter Archive:  - [June 2026](https://info.vitroglazings.com/a-trusted-and-proven-partnership-2) - Project Showcase: Hillman Library, Pittsburgh, PA - Technical Forum: *EcoArmor*™ Protective Topcoat  - Get to Know Vitro: Meet Johnny Lorigan - [March 2026](https://info.vitroglazings.com/a-toast-to-25-years) - Project Showcase: Lincoln Yards, Chicago, IL - Technical Forum: *Vitro Certified*® Network Online Training Resources - Get to Know Vitro: Honoring Women’s History Month - [December 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-drives-meaningful-progress-1) - Project Showcase: Nashville Airport Hilton, Nashville, TN - Technical Forum: The Growing Role of Glass Reflectivity in Buildings - Get to Know Vitro: New Roles for Chris Fronsoe and Trevor Hall - [October 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-drives-meaningful-progress) - Project Showcase: 700 Santana Row, San Jose, California - Technical Forum: *BirdSmart*® Bird Safe Glass Research & Testing - Get to Know Vitro: Logan Tautkus-Berry - [June 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/were-a-glass-half-full-kind-of-company) - Project Showcase: FirstHealth Cancer Center - Technical Forum: FramingFactor™ - Get to Know Vitro: Ben Rider - [March 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/2025-has-already-taken-off) - Project Showcase: National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA - Technical Forum: Bird Safe Glass Advancements and Trends - Get to Know Vitro: Dan Plotnick - [January 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/2024-was-a-certified-success-for-vitro-architectural-glass) - Project Showcase: Hugel Welcome Center (Lafayette College) - Technical Forum: Center of Glass vs. Framing Performance - Get to Know Vitro: Patrick (PJ) Campbell - [September 2024](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-certified-network-members-q3-check-in-1) - Project Showcase: RIDC Mill 19 - Technical Forum: Methods for Improving U‑Value - Get to Know Vitro: Larry Withrow - [July 2024](https://info.vitroglazings.com/second-quarterly-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: Amazon HQ2 - Technical Forum: Sustainability Certifications - Get to Know Vitro: Patty Fisher - [March 2024](https://info.vitroglazings.com/first-quarter-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: UC San Diego Torrey Pines Living & Learning Neighborhood - Technical Forum: Condensation - Get to Know Vitro: Fernando Diez - [January 2024](https://info.vitroglazings.com/first-quarterly-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: BancFirst Tower  - Technical Forum: Embodied Carbon  - Get to Know Vitro: Meet Erin Casci  - [October 2023](https://info.vitroglazings.com/q3-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members-1) - Project Showcase: Hanna Gabriel Wells Architects  - Technical Forum: Pros and Cons of Gas-Filled IGUs  - Get to Know Vitro: Bill Davis  - [June 2023](https://info.vitroglazings.com/q2-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: Pittsburgh Produce Terminal  - Technical Forum: Framing and Performance Values  - Get to Know Vitro: Chris Fronsoe  - [April 2023](https://info.vitroglazings.com/q1-2023-update-for-vitro-certified-members) - Project Showcase: Pikes Peak Summit House  - Technical Forum: Color Rendering Index  - Get to Know Vitro: Heather Brion  - [December 2022](https://info.vitroglazings.com/fourth-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members-2022) -  Project Showcase: 345 4th Street  - Technical Forum: Vacuum Insulating Glass FAQs  - Get to Know Vitro: Andre Kenstowicz  - [September 2022](https://info.vitroglazings.com/third-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: 70 Rainey  - Technical Forum: Codes & Climate Zones  - Get to Know Vitro: Dan Sutton  - [July 2022](https://info.vitroglazings.com/second-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: Moody Center - Technical Forum: *Titan* oversized glass - Get to Know Vitro: Annissa Flickinger  - [March 2022](https://info.vitroglazings.com/first-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: KOI Sky Residences  - Technical Forum: Embodied Carbon  - Get to Know Vitro: Mike Hammond  - [December 2021](https://info.vitroglazings.com/fourth-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members?hs_preview=wuFvkqXz-68122100225) - Project Showcase: Watershed  - Technical Forum: *Vitro Certified*™ Network Professional Training Modules  - Get to Know Vitro: Adam Polcyn  - [October 2021](https://info.vitroglazings.com/committing-to-innovating-sustainably) - Project Showcase: Congress Square  - Technical Forum: *VacuMax*™ Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG)  - Get to Know Vitro: Nathan McKenna  - [June 2021](https://1977288.hubspotpreview-na1.com/_hcms/preview/content/48387080968?portalId=1977288&_preview=true&cacheBust=0&preview_key=bfZWBlMX&from_buffer=false) - Project Showcase: McMaster University  - Technical Forum: BIPV Q&A - Get to Know Your New Sample Order Website - Get to Know Vitro: Lauren Black, Ph.D.    - [March 2021](https://info.vitroglazings.com/new-product-update-and-more) - Project Showcase: HOPE Tower  - Technical Forum: Glass Options for School Safety  - Get to Know Vitro: Emily Losego  - [November 2020](https://info.vitroglazings.com/innovation-and-our-people) - Project Showcase: Old Chicago Post Office  - Technical Forum: Keys to Diagnosing Glass Breakage  - Get to Know Vitro: Steve Marino  - [August 2020](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-vcn-september-1-2020) - Technical Forum: Bird-Safe Buildings Act Closer to Law  - Project Showcase: Rolex Tower  - Get to Know Vitro: Martin Bracamonte  - [May 2020](https://info.vitroglazings.com/here-for-each-other) - Decontaminating Glass Surfaces  - Personnel Training Series  - Contactless Bills of Lading (BOL) Now Available  - [January 2020](https://info.vitroglazings.com/the-solarban-acuity-opportunity-1) - Technical Forum: The Latest in Bird Safe Glass Legislation  - Project Showcase: Calgary Central Library  - Get to Know Vitro: Paul Bush  - [September 2019](https://info.vitroglazings.com/the-solarban-acuity-opportunity) - Our *Solarban*®-Coated *Acuity®* Glass Journey  - Technical Forum: Specifying Heat-Rated Glass  - Project Showcase: Kinects Tower  - Get to Know Vitro: Julia Giba  - [July 2019](https://info.vitroglazings.com/invested-in-our-people) - Technical Forum: Silicone Strength  - Get to Know Vitro: Joanne Funyak  - Project Showcase: 181 Fremont  - [March 2019](https://info.vitroglazings.com/two-new-chapters) - Technical Forum: Eliminating the Stress Over Strain Patterns  - Project Showcase: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine  - Get to Know Vitro: Carlisle, PA  - [January 2019](https://info.vitroglazings.com/eyes-on-quality) - The Hallmarks of Product Quality  - Vitro Survey: Insights on General Contractors  - Get to Know Vitro: Salem, Oregon  - [August 2018](https://info.vitroglazings.com/the-future-is-here) - Technical Forum: Diagnosing Glass Breakage  - Project Showcase: UCSD Jacobs Medical Center  - Get to Know Your Glass Supplier: Carlisle, PA  - Gearing Up to Transport Jumbo Glass  - [March 2018](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-certified-newsletter-march-2018) - Technical Forum: Focusing Beyond Glass Construction in Specifications  - Project Showcase: BioSteel Centre  - Technical Articles to Share with Your Customers  - Vitro, on the Road  - Get to Know Your Glass Supplier: Wichita Falls, Texas  - [November 2017](https://info.vitroglazings.com/365-days-in) - Technical Forum: Temporary Film Fabrication Guidelines  - Project Showcase: ProMedica Health and Wellness Center  - Lunchtime Training Seminars  - Get to Know Your Glass Supplier: Fresno, California  - [August 2017](https://info.vitroglazings.com/introducing-the-vitro-certified-newsletter-1) - Technical Forum: New Vitro Glass EPDs Are An Industry First  - Project Showcase: 7 Bryant Park  - Your Show, On the Road  - Get to Know Your Glass Supplier: A Preview  #### Recent Stories:  [![Vitro_PPG_Horiz_RGB.png](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vitro_PPG_Horiz_RGB.png?width=353&name=Vitro_PPG_Horiz_RGB.png "Vitro_PPG_Horiz_RGB.png")](http://www.vitroglazings.com/en-US/Glass.aspx)