The solar shading industry is facing significant challenges. Production processes need to become more efficient, skilled technical personnel are becoming increasingly scarce, and end users expect systems that operate reliably for many years with minimal maintenance requirements. In response to these market demands, Guillaume Janssen and the Swiss company Plastex are working together to develop innovative solutions for the screen and solar shading market.
The collaboration is strongly focused on ease of use, sustainability, and reducing assembly, installation, and maintenance time. By taking a smarter approach to engineering, they are creating solutions that not only simplify production processes but also help minimize service interventions and malfunctions over the long term.
From original Zip technology to a new generation of systems
Guillaume Janssen was the former European patent holder of zip technology, which laid the foundation for the modern wind-resistant zip screen. Although the patent has since expired, the technology remains the basis of many systems currently available on the market.
According to Guillaume Janssen, the next step in innovation is no longer focused solely on wind resistance, but increasingly on simplifying the entire system. Fewer components, easier installation, reduced risk of errors, and lower maintenance requirements are becoming ever more important within the industry.
Within this development, Plastex positions itself as an innovative partner. The Swiss company specializes in high-quality thermoplastic solutions for the sun shading industry and develops its products with a strong focus on real-world applications. Technical performance is important, but the central question is: how can we make the work easier for manufacturers, assemblers, installers, and service technicians?
Labor shortages drive demand for smarter systems
The availability of skilled technical personnel is under increasing pressure. As a result, there is a growing need for systems that require fewer operations and can be processed more quickly.
The solutions developed by Guillaume Janssen and Plastex directly address these challenges by offering:
In addition, Plastex actively collaborates with manufacturers and system suppliers to develop industry-specific solutions. This practical and application-driven approach has resulted in several innovations that are now widely applicable across the market.
Clipzip®: The Evolution of the Guide Rail
One of the most notable developments is Plastex Clipzip®, an innovative patented inner guide rail system for zip screens.
Clipzip® solutions have been designed to further optimize both the installation and operation of screen systems. The system offers particular advantages for large and tall installations, conservatory shading systems, and applications where fabric tension is critical.
Key features include:
The system also offers significant opportunities within renovation projects and the replacement market. Existing systems can be upgraded relatively easily, extending their service life and enhancing sustainability. Repairs and modernization become considerably simpler as a result.
All Plastex products are supplied with a 10-year warranty, further emphasizing the durable nature of the solutions.
Aviasta®: Rethinking Fabric Assembly
With Plastex Aviasta®, Plastex introduces an alternative to the traditional rigid spline. Aviasta® has been developed as a soft, flexible spline profile suitable for virtually all common steel shading tubes. Thanks to its intelligent anchoring principle, the profile securely locks into the tube while remaining considerably easier to process.
For manufacturers, assemblers, and service technicians, this offers several advantages:
An additional advantage is that fabrics can be rolled up more compactly. This results in smaller and shorter packaging sizes, offering benefits in handling, logistics, and transportation. In addition to use within roller tubes, Aviasta® Ultra can also be applied in bottom bars or valances, subject to compatibility with the specific system.
Boba®: Combining Aesthetics and Efficiency
For the bottom bar, Plastex has developed another practical solution: Boba®. This system eliminates the need for a visible hem while simplifying and standardizing the assembly process. This provides clear benefits in production environments where speed, consistency, and efficiency are essential. In addition, the solution delivers a cleaner and more refined aesthetic appearance.
Solutions for the Replacement Market
A notable aspect of Plastex solutions is that they are designed for far more than just new installations. Interesting opportunities also exist in servicing, renovating, and upgrading existing installations. By modernizing current screen systems with innovative components, both service life and performance can be significantly improved without replacing the entire system. This aligns perfectly with the growing demand for sustainable and repairable solutions within the construction and sun shading industries.
Looking Ahead to Industry Trade Shows
The partnership between Guillaume Janssen and Plastex continues to evolve. During upcoming trade fairs such as R+T 2027 and the Zonwering Expo, several new innovations are expected to be unveiled.
According to both companies, “very special developments” are in the pipeline, including an alternative to the well-known co-extruded inner guide rail technology. This appears to be another step toward simpler, more sustainable, and more efficient screen systems. At these exhibitions, all possibilities and applications will be extensively demonstrated, allowing visitors to experience the innovations firsthand.
A Future-Oriented Partnership
By combining practical industry experience, material expertise, and a strong focus on ease of use, Guillaume Janssen and Plastex are actively shaping the future of the sun shading industry.
Rather than making systems more complex, their vision focuses on creating smarter solutions. Fewer installation steps, fewer malfunctions, reduced maintenance requirements, and longer product lifecycles form the common thread throughout their joint developments. These are precisely the themes that will continue to grow in importance across the industry in the years ahead.
Published in Z&R in August 2026. All texts and photographs © Guillaume Janssen.
