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Around the globe: Innovative solutions emerge to address glass shortage crisis in war-torn Ukraine
In the wake of the devastating conflict in Ukraine, a dire shortage of glass is hindering the return of many residents to their towns and villages. This shortage has not only led to skyrocketing prices for windows but has also exerted pressure on global glass prices. The arduous task of window replacement is underway in various regions, with the charity organization “Insulate Ukraine” spearheading efforts to make homes habitable once more.
A journey through the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine reveals a haunting sight: a multitude of shattered windows. The shockwaves from explosions, even occurring at considerable distances, have shattered countless glass frames. The heartbreaking reality is that many of these windows, once painstakingly replaced, are destined to be shattered again. In Shevchenkove, for instance, one-third of buildings were completely destroyed, and half suffered some form of damage. The magnitude of broken glass is staggering.
A combination of global factors and Ukraine-specific challenges has left the country struggling to meet its glass needs, despite the repetitive nature of the rebuilding process. The war-induced surge in energy costs has driven up prices for construction materials worldwide. Furthermore, the recent earthquake in Turkey has depleted glass supplies, aggravating Ukraine’s predicament. Moreover, Ukraine had become overly reliant on glass producers in Belarus and Russia, a situation exacerbated by the closure of its domestic glass factories following the Soviet Union’s collapse.
The last sheet glass factory in Ukraine, located in Luhansk in the east, was lost to the country when Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February of the previous year. Kostyantyn Saliy, President of the All-Ukrainian Union of Building Materials Manufacturers, revealed that prior to the war, window manufacturers purchased glass for $2.02 per square meter and sold their products for $3. Today, they are forced to procure glass for $4 from abroad and sell it for prices ranging between $6 and $7. Saliy lamented the subpar quality of much of the imported glass from the former Soviet Union countries, stating it falls short even of Soviet Union standards.
Some individuals have resorted to smuggling higher-quality glass from Belarus through Poland to avoid violating sanctions. However, there is reluctance to support Belarus, which has been seen as aiding Russia in the conflict.
To address this critical issue, Ukraine requires a staggering 750 million square meters of glass for reglazing. There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon, as construction has commenced on a new sheet glass factory in Berezan, in the Kyiv region. Saliy’s union is actively seeking EU grants to establish two additional facilities—one for producing sodium oxide, a key glass ingredient, and another for manufacturing sheets.
Yet, the question remains: What can be done in the interim, given the thankless task of reglazing homes amidst the constant threat of artillery and rocket fire?
Enter Harry Blakiston Houston, a 27-year-old who paused his PhD in biotechnology at the University of Cambridge to tackle this formidable challenge. He believes he has found a solution: a window that can be constructed in just 15 minutes and costs a mere £12 per square meter. This innovative window is crafted using polyethylene, PVC piping, pipe insulation, and duct tape, creating four layers of insulation that are impervious to shattering. While these windows are temporary, they are highly durable. When no longer needed, all their components can be recycled for other purposes.
Blakiston Houston’s charitable organization, Insulate Ukraine, installed its first such window in Shevchenkove, providing warmth to an elderly woman who had been forced to sleep in her bathtub, as it was the only warm spot in her home. Since then, the charity has worked tirelessly across the country, installing 6,000 of these resilient windows. Soon, Kherson will be the recipient of a 2,000-window installation effort.
Blakiston Houston is eager to scale up this project. However, a significant challenge looms—the United Nations is the largest funder of reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. Operating under the “build back better” protocol, the UN only supports windows that match or surpass the quality of those existing before the war.
Blakiston Houston believes this approach is inadequate for Ukraine’s unique circumstances. He notes that the rebuilding process in the country is a three-stage ordeal, not a simple transition from emergency to normality. With the ongoing threat of conflict, the need for durable, cost-effective windows is paramount. The Insulate Ukraine windows, costing only $15 to $20 for the required size, offer excellent insulation, thermal protection, and resilience to bomb blasts.
While the window frame may deform or pop out in extreme circumstances, it is a straightforward and economical fix. The product’s lifespan ranges from five to eight years, with the potential for further enhancements to extend its durability. The ultimate goal is to install these windows once and not return, signaling the end of both the war and the glass shortage crisis in Ukraine.
