СУЧАСНІ ІННОВАЦІЇ В ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ ВИРОБНИЦТВА ЛИСТОВОГО СКЛА ФЛОАТ-МЕТОДОМ

The article investigates innovations in float glass manufacturing. The object of the study is the float process itself and its key improvements introduced between 2014 and 2025. The purpose of this review is to analyze significant technological advancements driven by the global focus on environmental sustainability and overall technological progress. The main findings of the study highlight progress in several areas: improvements in melting furnace designs to enhance energy efficiency and production flexibility; the integration of sustainable practices, including the use of alternative fuels, increased cullet usage, and the development of carbon capture technologies; the evolution of coating technologies (low-emissivity [Low-E], solar control, self-cleaning); the growing role of automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digitalization for process optimization; and the emergence of specialized glass types (smart glass, solar glass).