Early windshields were made of ordinary window glass, but that could lead to serious injuries in the event of a crash. Later versions were made of toughened glass and were fitted in the frame using a rubber seal. This type of glass shattered into mostly harmless fragments when the windshield broke but was prone to shattering from a simple stone chip.

Modern windshields are generally made of two curved sheets of tempered glass, with a PVB plastic layer laminated between them for safety, and bonded into the window frame. If one layer of glass breaks, the laminate and the inside layer of glass hold the windshield together, keeping pieces of glass from injuring occupants of the car or falling on the road.

The laminated safety glass for windshield first became available in France from 1911, and some high-end American auto manufacturers began to use it in 1913. Henry Ford ordered the use of laminated glass on all of his vehicles from 1919.

Repair or Replacement?

You are driving on a highway, minding your own business, and …. POW! After you have recovered from the unexpected hit, you know that something hit the windshield and there may be a visible sign of damage, such as a pit or crack. It’s generally not dangerous to drive with a small crack in the windshield. But with time, as moisture, dirt and even windshield washer fluid can seep into the glass sandwich layers, windshield becomes discoloured and further decreases visibility.

Safety Tip

It’s important to avoid pressing on a broken windshield from the interior of the car. Because of its concave shape, a crack can severely weaken the windshield’s structural integrity, and the glass is likely to continue cracking if pressure is placed on it from the inside.

According to the U.S. National Windshield Repair Association (www. NWRASSN.org), a division of the Auto Glass Safety Council, many types of stone damage can be successfully repaired. Circular bullseyes, crack chips, dings, pits, star-shaped breaks and linear cracks up to six centimetres in length can be repaired without removing the glass, eliminating the risk of leaking or bonding problems sometimes associated with replacement.

Still, damaged glass is a serious issue and may render a car unsafe to drive. Therefore, it should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible for two important reasons:

Windshields weakened by damage provide less protection.

Cracked windshields decrease visibility.

Though not an immediate danger, if the crack is large or if it is near or touching the edge of the windshield, the glass may have to be replaced and driving the car is not recommended.

Buyer Be Aware!

Original equipment (OE) windshields have specified surface quality and built-in stress level. Many are solar-optimised to block UV, reduce interior heat buildup, and have better acoustic attenuation for a quieter ride.

The aftermarket windshields may be missing some or all of these qualities, and consumers may not be aware of these shortcomings.

Another difference between OE and aftermarket glass is residual stress levels around the perimeter called the ‘Weak Spot’ which causes windshield to crack from the edge.

A windshield repair costs much less than a replacement. A chip repair prevents a crack, and a crack repair prevents having to replace the windshield. Also, don’t be talked into ‘replacement’ if the damage could be ‘repaired.’ Just make sure, whether you have a chip or a crack and get it repaired ASAP.

The National Windshield Repair Association is recognised nationally and worldwide as a professional source of reliable information on the windshield repair industry. Their education and certification programme shows that those certified have successfully completed proficiency training to repair and replace laminated auto glass in compliance with ANSI/NWRA/ROLAGS 001-2014.

Whether you choose to drive to a glass shop or have a repair technician come to you, the choice is yours! Many companies offer mobile auto glass service at your home or office to perform needed windshield repair or replacement. It is especially convenient during the current pandemic lockdown.

Recycling Windshield Glass

In the US, about 13-14 million windshields are replaced each year, creating an environmental need for recycling. Although the composite nature of the windshield glass makes it difficult to recycle it, some patented technologies are available. Damaged windshields are processed through a crusher, which separates the glass from PVB interlayer.

Approximately 90 percent becomes ‘glass cullet,’ which can then be recycled into a number of new products including fibreglass insulation. Roughly seven percent becomes PVB plastic scrap, which is reprocessed into pellets and used for a number of new applications, such as carpet backing, paint and primer, and other plastic products. (MT)

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Steelbird Helmets has announced the launch of the SBH-23 AVA Glossy cutting-edge half-face helmet. Designed to tackle the challenges of summer riding, it has six built-in air vents that promise exceptional airflow. 
Aimed at urban commuters, the half-face helmet has been crafted to offer comfortable and protection to the rider by using breathable, Italian-designed interiors that are of the ‘multi-pore’ kind, removable and washable. 
Ensuring hygiene and freshness even during prolonged use in hot and humid conditions, the interiors could be taken out for washing to keep them clean and devoid of any contamination. 
Featuring a high-impact ABS shell with multi-layer high-density EPS for superior impact absorption, the helmet is equipped with a polycarbonate anti-scratch visor and an inner black sunshield, which provides clear, glare-free visibility under intense sunlight and reduces eye fatigue. 
Including a European standard micro-metric buckle for quick and secure fastening, a neck protector for long-ride comfort and an anti-scratch coated visor for long-lasting clarity, the helmet is by BIS (IS 4151:2015) certified. 
It is available in a variety of vibrant, summer-friendly colours and sizes of M (580mm) and L (600mm). It is priced at INR 1,299, which makes it easily accessible to riders from various economic strata.
Speaking about the new helmet, Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director, Steelbird Helmets, mentioned, “Summer rides come with their own set of challenges—heat, dust, and long hours on the road. With the SBH-23 AVA, there’s not only safety and ventilation on offer but also elegant Italian styling that riders will love.”
 

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Tata Motors has inaugurated its eighth Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) in India, located in Kolkata. The facility can dismantle up to 21,000 end-of-life (EoL) vehicles annually and is operated in partnership with Selladale Synergies India.

The Kolkata RVSF, capable of scrapping passenger and commercial vehicles as well as two-wheelers and three-wheelers from all brands, is Tata Motors' third such centre in eastern India. Other RVSFs are located in Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Surat, Chandigarh, Delhi NCR, Pune and Guwahati.

The launch event was attended by senior government officials and Tata Motors representatives, including West Bengal Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty and Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles.

Snehasis Chakraborty, said, “The inauguration of Tata Motors’ Re.Wi.Re is a welcome step towards building a cleaner and more efficient future for our people. This initiative will also support the adoption of newer, safer energy-efficient vehicles and create circular economy opportunities within the transport sector. We appreciate Tata Motors, Selladale Synergies and all partners involved for bringing this initiative to our state.”

The facility is fully digital, with paperless operations and designated dismantling areas for safe handling of tyres, batteries, oils, gases and other components. It includes cell-type dismantling lines for commercial vehicles and two- and three-wheelers, and line-type dismantling for passenger cars.

Rajesh Kaul, added, "Tata Motors is committed to driving sustainable mobility solutions while fostering a circular economy. The inauguration of West Bengal’s first Re.Wi.Re and the country’s eighth facility is a significant step in expanding our vehicle scrapping ecosystem. With the cumulative capacity of dismantling more than 1.3 lakh vehicles annually across eight Tata Motors RVSFs, we are proud to lead the way in transforming India’s vehicle scrapping ecosystem with a focus on safety, compliance and sustainability.”

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South Korean lubricant maker Daewoo has re-entered the Indian automotive market under a strategic licensing collaboration with Mangali Industries.

With this association, Mangali Industries will introduce Daewoo’s range of lubricants for the two-wheelers, passenger cars, commercial vehicles and agriculture segments.

Vineet Singh, Director - Strategy & Growth, Daewoo, said, “Daewoo has always stood for innovation, trust and performance. Through this powerful alliance between Daewoo and Mangali Industries, we are shaping the future of high-performance lubricants in one of the world’s most dynamic and demanding markets. With this launch, we embark on a long-term journey dedicated to empowering the Indian automotive industry.”

Sang-hwan Oh, DGM, POSCO – Korea, shared his views on Daewoo’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring that every product meets rigorous international standards while adapting to evolving demands of local consumers.

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German technology and services company Bosch has launched Supply Chain Studio, a cloud-based suite of tools aimed at enhancing supply chain efficiency and visibility.

The announcement was made at the first-ever Mobility Platform and Solutions’ (MPS) Summit 2025. It aims to address key gaps in transport & warehouse management and last-mile operations among others.

Bosch Supply Chain Studio will allow seamless integration with ERPs and third-party marketplaces to meet diverse operational needs. It offers solutions such as transport booking & management, warehouse booking, smart warehouse, bay & yard manager and e-distributor.

In addition, Bosch MPS also introduced the ARC Partner Program – Accelerate, Rise, Collaborate, which it shared will foster co-innovation with partners across logistics, EV mobility, supply chain tech and parking management.

Sandeep Nelamangala, Joint Managing Director, Bosch & President, Bosch Mobility India, said, “The Bosch MPS Summit reflects the collaborative spirit driving the future of mobility. Launching the Supply Chain Studio here allowed us to bring all key stakeholders – manufacturers, transporters, warehouse operators and distributors – onto one platform. We’re excited to work with them and continue driving digitalisation in our supply chains.”

Image for representational purpose only

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