Glass

High Quality Materials for High Quality Glass

Glassmaking is an ancient process, with humans crafting the first glass objects nearly 4,000 years ago. Making this versatile material, however, is an ongoing evolution as manufacturers, scientists and artists refine the unique chemistry of glass and fine-tune the glassmaking process. Covia stands as a leader in the market because we are the leading supplier of glass raw materials and because we possess deep technical expertise and know-how.

Silica sand is essential to optimal glass production:

the higher the purity of the sand, the more control you have over the strength, clarity, and color of the final product. Covia offers a complete portfolio of low and ultra low iron silica sand, including crystalline silica, silica flour as well as feldspathic sand, nepheline syenite and kaolin.

Products for Every Application

Container Glass

Flat Glass

Glass Fiber

Why Covia?

Consistency

Achieve consistent glass quality with our in-spec sand offering stable chemistry, batch after batch

Cost Control

Reduce delivery cost by leveraging our extensive footprint of 22 North American plants supported by a comprehensive distribution network

Composition

Use our high-purity minerals, including sand and non-sand materials, for customizable applications

Confidence

Increase production efficiency with performance solutions from our in-house technical experts

Expertise

OUR SPECIALIZED TECHNICIANS ARE RECOGNIZED ACROSS THE INDUSTRY FOR THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE IN THE GLASS MARKET

We recommend performance-driven solutions to complex quality issues regarding glass batch formulation and melting, and provide guidance based on extensive testing, customized for each analysis, in Covia’s proprietary state-of-the-art laboratory. Covia’s dedicated Glass Lab offers a variety of analyses of glass and batch materials, batch formulation and melting services, grinding and polishing, and heavy mineral refractory determination, among other capabilities.

FAQs

What is glass?

Glass is an amorphous solid that is usually produced by mixing silica with other minerals at high heat and allowing the mixture to cool without forming a crystalline structure.

What raw materials are used to make glass?

Raw materials typically used to formulate glass batches include silica sand, soda ash, limestone, dolomite, nepheline syenite, feldspar, aplite, calcined alumina and salt cake. Colorants, such as cobalt or iron oxide, can also be used to produce colored glass.

What raw materials does Covia supply the glass industry?

Covia offers a complete portfolio of low and ultra-low iron silica sand, including crystalline silica, silica flour as well as feldspathic sand, nepheline syenite and kaolin.

What are the major types of products made from glass?

The major types of glass include container glass, used for packaging food, beverages, medicines, chemicals and cosmetics; flat glass, used mainly in windows and automobile windshields; and glass fiber, which can be bundled together to form a wool-like mass that can serve as heat insulation.

How are glass products made?

Glass production starts with a batch of raw materials, which are mixed according to precise specifications depending on the desired properties of the final product. The raw materials are then fed into a furnace where they melt and become fused. Next comes forming, a process that varies depending on the type of glass being made. Container glass is cut into gobs and placed into metal molds; flat glass is pulled into sheets and cut into different shapes; and glass fibers are made by pulling the melted glass into small strands. The final step is annealing, or cooling, which is critical for durability of the glass.

What are the major concerns of glass manufacturers?

A major requirement of all glass producers is to have in-spec raw materials to ensure consistency of their glass batches. Given that requirement, most producers are willing to lock into long-term, multi-year agreements with their suppliers. Logistics is another big concern. Because transportation can be more expensive than the material, a comprehensive and accessible distribution network (rail and truck) is critical to help minimize shipping costs and final delivered cost.

What Covia locations provide materials for the glass industry?

Covia operates 22 North American plants across the U.S., Canada and Mexico that offer raw materials for the glass industry. With our extensive mining footprint, supported by a comprehensive distribution network, we can significantly reduce delivery costs for our customers.

What makes Covia a premium supplier to glass manufacturers?

Glass customers rely on our extensive sand processing experience to deliver consistent and predictable product chemistry so they can produce similar batches with limited variability. This improves manufacturing efficiency and reduces cost. Plus, our Technical Center is dedicated to the advancement of the glass industry and glass chemistry to meet the future requirements of our customers.