During the last General Assembly of Glass for Europe, Philippe Bastien, regional president, building & industrial division of AGC Glass Europe, was elected chairman of the board of directors of Glass for Europe.
After joining AGC Glass Europe, formerly Glaverbel, in 1992, Philippe Bastien has covered several managerial positions from financial control to general management, through to marketing, business development and R&D. AGC Glass Europe produces, processes and distributes flat glass for the building, automotive and numerous other sectors such as transport, solar power and high-tech applications. It has over 100 sites throughout Europe, from Spain to Russia, and employs around 16,500 employees.
“I am honored to take on this Chairmanship role and I realize responsibilities that now fall upon me in these difficult times,” says Bastien. “With the spread of COVID-19, the flat glass industry is reacting quickly to ensure the health of all its workers, while we must safeguard the integrity of our industrial operations.”
For the weeks and months to come, Glass for Europe will engage with European authorities on creating the conditions for a rebound in activity in the glass and glazing sector once the health crisis over. It will require a massive macro-economic stimulus, which should be in line with Europe’s climate ambitions and the need to launch a ‘building renovation wave.
In January 2020, Glass for Europe released its 2050 vision on flat glass in climate-neutral Europe. This comprehensive work, which offers a pathway for the sector to maximize contributions to climate neutrality, is more than ever topical. “An efficient post-crisis stimulus package will be required to support the flat glass sector and it must be climate-compatible: a massive renovation of ageing buildings with high-efficiency glazing, support for clean mobility transition and increase in the share of solar energy” says Bastien.
During the General Assembly, Jérôme Lionet, general manager of Saint-Gobain Glass Industry was elected vice-chairman of the board. The board of directors of Glass for Europe is composed of high-level representatives of the four leading EU-based float glass manufacturers, AGC Glass Europe, Guardian, NSG Group and Saint-Gobain Glass Industry, and of one representative from flat glass and glazing national associations.
