RIOU OCEAN GLASS Strengthens Its Offer with Two New Innovative Glass Solutions

A new era for glass production has begun in Mauritius with the launch of RIOU OCEAN GLASS in 2024! Just a year after inaugurating its production site in Mer Rouge, this glass factory, which boasts unique technology in the Indian Ocean and is a leader in France, is stepping up its game. They are introducing two new glass solutions: screen-printed and digitally printed glass, which allows for the creation of customized facades and interiors, and glass with opacity control that provides instant management of light and privacy. These two innovations expand the regional offering of architectural glass and were showcased to industry stakeholders during a factory tour in Mer Rouge on Thursday, October 16, attended by Pierre Riou, CEO of RIOU OCEAN GLASS and founder of Riou Glass, which has been established in France for over 45 years. The event generated significant enthusiasm among construction and architecture professionals, reflecting the growing interest in innovative, local, and sustainable glass solutions.

With these two new products, RIOU OCEAN GLASS aims to meet the modern design requirements of contemporary architecture and smart buildings, not only in Mauritius but also across the African continent, in the French overseas territories, Australia, and the islands of the Indian Ocean. The factory is the only one in the region that specializes in the complete transformation of glass (flat, tempered, double glazing, among others), as noted by Pierre Riou. “With these two new glass solutions, we are taking a crucial step in our continuous innovation strategy. These technologies are not just aesthetic evolutions; they redefine how architects, designers, and decorators can envision, modify, and animate spaces,” he emphasizes.

Designed for contemporary and connected spaces, the opacity control glass incorporates liquid crystal film technology (PDLC), allowing for an instant switch from transparent to opaque. With a simple switch, it offers privacy, visual comfort, and management of natural light while maintaining a sleek aesthetic. Ideal for offices, hotels, hospitals, or high-end residential spaces, it fully aligns with the smart building trend and modular environments. This glass also allows for a 70% reduction in electricity usage, helping to optimize energy consumption in buildings, in line with Mauritian government recommendations to reduce demand during peak times and avoid shortages.

Meanwhile, the screen-printed and digitally printed glass combines creativity and performance, providing unlimited customization of glass surfaces: patterns, logos, textures, translucent or opaque effects. In addition to its aesthetic impact, this process enhances the mechanical strength and durability of the glass.

Today, RIOU OCEAN GLASS offers a comprehensive selection of innovative, durable, and aesthetically pleasing glass products: from bulletproof solutions to self-cleaning glass, anti-vandalism, shock-resistant, panic-proof, or fire protection glazing, as well as standard or custom decorative glass. “Thanks to these innovations, Mauritius is now establishing itself as a true regional hub for high-end glass transformation, capable of meeting international smart building standards and the flexibility requirements of modern spaces. By opening our Mer Rouge site to stakeholders and industry professionals, we aim to share our expertise and inspire new creative applications of glass in contemporary architecture,” concludes the CEO, who has over 50 years of experience in the glass industry.