Sound insulation for the glass industry
For businesses operating continuously
Noise Protection for the Glass Industry by sta Group
Noise protection in the glass industry is one of the most demanding tasks in industrial noise control. Forming machines, melting furnaces and compressors generate sound levels of 85 to 106 dB(A), significantly exceeding the legal limits set by the German Noise and Vibration Occupational Safety Regulation (LärmVibrationsArbSchV). Employers are required to provide hearing protection from 80 dB(A), and wearing it becomes mandatory from 85 dB(A). The typical noise levels of common equipment in glass plants illustrate the need for action.
| Machine | Sound Level |
|---|---|
| Forming machine (IS machine) | 95 to 106 dB(A) |
| Glass grinding machine | 90 to 110 dB(A) |
| Melting furnace with blower | 90 to 105 dB(A) |
| Annealing lehr fans | 90 to 105 dB(A) |
| Compressor | 85 to 100 dB(A) |
Glass melting tanks operate continuously for 10 to 15 years without shutdown. Round-the-clock production means permanent noise exposure for all employees in production and packaging. Pneumatic conveying systems, packaging lines and cutting equipment increase the cumulative noise burden, while compressed-air-driven IS machines stand out as the loudest individual sources.
With around 54,000 employees across approximately 256 companies, the German glass industry is a significant economic sector. Noise-induced hearing loss (occupational disease BK 2301) was the most common occupational disease in Germany in 2024, with 8,897 recognised cases. Once damaged, hearing does not regenerate, making prevention through professional noise protection in the glass industry indispensable. Effective noise control safeguards your employees against irreversible damage and improves working conditions across your entire operation.
Sound insulation for the glass industry, from analysis to installation
Machine enclosures are among the most effective sound insulation measures in the glass industry. Depending on the design, double-walled steel structures filled with mineral wool can achieve a noise reduction of 20 to 45 dB(A). This reduces the sound level of an IS machine from over 100 dB(A) to below 65 dB(A). For glassworks, these structures must be heat-resistant, as melting furnaces reach processing temperatures of up to 1,700 °C and generate considerable radiant heat.
Soundproof cabins create protected work areas directly in the production hall. Operating personnel can work there with reduced noise levels, while soundproof walls shield noisy areas such as the hot end from quieter zones such as inspection and packaging. This combination of source-based and room-dividing measures enables a differentiated overall acoustic concept.
The sta Group’s state-of-the-art 3D scanner captures millimeter-precise digital measurements on site, ensuring that every solution in the glass industry sound insulation sector is tailor-made for the respective machinery. Elements up to 6 m in length are manufactured in-house on an automated plasma system. From the initial analysis to design and installation, every service comes from a single source.
The sta Group as a partner for sound insulation in the glass industry
As a full-service provider, the sta Group supports glassworks and glass processing companies from the initial analysis to the final installation. Experienced project managers assess the noise situation in your production hall, identify the critical sources of noise, and develop a customized protection concept. The sound insulation consultation also includes a well-founded cost-benefit analysis tailored to the specific requirements of your glassworks.
With its own production facilities, in-house trained specialists, and experienced installation teams, the sta Group guarantees on-time implementation with the highest quality standards. In 2024, the company was named a TOP 100 Innovator, making it one of the most innovative medium-sized companies in Germany. Since 1986, sta has been implementing challenging sound insulation projects for well-known industrial companies from a wide range of industries.
Whether it’s an enclosure for a single melting furnace or a comprehensive acoustic concept for the entire production hall, the sta Group delivers tailor-made sound insulation for the glass industry of any size. Get in touch and let us advise you without obligation. Together, we will develop a solution that protects your employees and optimizes your production in the long term.
Automotive industry. Equipment manufacturers. End customers.
Small selection of references
Effective sound insulation in the glass industry for melting furnaces and presses
Melting furnaces and hydraulic presses are among the noisiest pieces of equipment in glassworks. Gas-fired melting tanks generate sound levels of 90 to 105 dB(A) due to industrial burners and combustion air blowers. In addition, presses and bending machines generate impulse noise of 90 to 105 dB(A), which is particularly harmful to hearing. Effective sound insulation in the glass industry requires special materials for the area close to the furnaces and must take both types of noise into account.
All sound insulation materials in the glass industry must meet at least fire protection class A2 in accordance with DIN EN 13501. Mineral wool as a filling material combines excellent sound insulation properties with fire protection class A1 and is therefore also suitable for use near melting tanks. Perforated metal surfaces with an absorber behind them are much easier to clean from abrasive glass dust (SiO2) than open-pored materials.
Silencers in the ventilation ducts prevent sound transmission to the outside, while integrated ventilation systems prevent heat build-up in closed enclosures. Viewing windows allow visual process control without significantly reducing sound insulation performance. The vibration decoupling of the machines from the hall floor additionally prevents structure-borne sound transmission via foundations and building structures.
Effective sound insulation in the glass industry for melting furnaces and presses
Melting furnaces and hydraulic presses are among the noisiest pieces of equipment in glassworks. Gas-fired melting tanks generate sound levels of 90 to 105 dB(A) due to industrial burners and combustion air blowers. In addition, presses and bending machines generate impulse noise of 90 to 105 dB(A), which is particularly harmful to hearing. Effective sound insulation in the glass industry requires special materials for the area close to the furnaces and must take both types of noise into account.
All sound insulation materials in the glass industry must meet at least fire protection class A2 in accordance with DIN EN 13501. Mineral wool as a filling material combines excellent sound insulation properties with fire protection class A1 and is therefore also suitable for use near melting tanks. Perforated metal surfaces with an absorber behind them are much easier to clean from abrasive glass dust (SiO2) than open-pored materials.
Silencers in the ventilation ducts prevent sound transmission to the outside, while integrated ventilation systems prevent heat build-up in closed enclosures. Viewing windows allow visual process control without significantly reducing sound insulation performance. The vibration decoupling of the machines from the hall floor additionally prevents structure-borne sound transmission via foundations and building structures.
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