Viglacera Continues to Make Its Mark in the U.S.: Technical Tile Order for the Geothermal Tower of the University of Iowa
Viglacera has successfully signed an order worth USD 295,000 to supply technical tiles to the University of Iowa (USA) with 27 containers to be exported, expected to arrive at U.S. ports in early November 2025. The products will be used for the university’s central air conditioning tower system.
Viglacera’s technical tile line consists of 4mm thin, unglazed tiles. This is not only a commercial contract but also a new milestone in the history of cooperation between Viglacera and U.S. partners, affirming the position of Vietnamese enterprises on the global building materials map.
This is not the first time Viglacera’s products have conquered high-end projects in a market renowned for some of the strictest technical requirements in the world. Previously – in 2019 – Viglacera’s technical tiles were selected for the construction of the geothermal system at the U.S. Capitol Building. Mr. Rod Applegate – Chairman of Tower Engineering INC (USA) – revealed that the supplier selection process for this project was extremely rigorous. The company went through a global search for partners, but only Viglacera’s products met all quality and environmental standards. Mr. Rod Applegate also added that Viglacera tiles “possess superior load-bearing capacity, effective thermal insulation, and optimal air circulation support… usable continuously for 20–30 years without replacement.” This meticulous and thorough approach explains why his company, Tower Engineering INC, is among the leading building material suppliers in the U.S. And with this latest order for the University of Iowa, Viglacera is proud to once again earn the full trust of its American partner.
This USD 295,000 order is not just a figure, but also proof of the absolute trust that the American partner places in Viglacera’s technology and production standards. This continued cooperation further affirms the superior quality of Vietnamese building materials.
On a 1,880-acre (approximately 760-hectare) campus – Iowa is a renowned public research university ranked 14th in the U.S., located in a UNESCO-designated City of Literature. Founded in 1847 after Iowa joined the Union, it is among the 66 leading research universities in North America, with about 31,000 students and 1,700 faculty members. The fact that Viglacera’s technical tiles were chosen for such an important project at such a symbolic location shows that Vietnamese products have met the strictest technical and aesthetic requirements.
Turning back time, in late April 2025, Viglacera appeared at Coverings 2025 (Orlando, Florida, USA). This exhibition has long been dubbed “The place where the essence converges” of the global premium tile and stone industry. Coverings 2025 gathered 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries, attracting more than 26,000 professionals, including distributors, retailers, contractors, architects, designers, and specialized building materials media outlets. At the exhibition, Viglacera presented the showcase “Green material ecosystem, synchronized for every project” featuring tile products, sanitary ware, ultra-clear glass, energy-saving glass, environmentally friendly solutions integrated with advanced technology, all meeting the global sustainable development trend.
Viglacera currently ranks among the Top 20 largest tile manufacturers in the world, exporting products to more than 40 countries and territories, with export turnover reaching USD 30 million per year. In the U.S. market, not only technical tiles but Viglacera’s ceramic tiles have also won the trust of major clients. In 2022, after visiting Viglacera’s manufacturing plants, representatives of Emser Tiles Inc. – a company with more than 30 years of experience in importing building materials in the U.S. – selected Viglacera as their strategic partner in Southeast Asia. In addition, other major partners such as Daltile and MS International have also signed multi-million-dollar contracts with Viglacera.
The story of Viglacera is a vivid testament that, despite economic difficulties – especially when Vietnam is facing the most severe trade deficit in the region due to new tax policies – Vietnamese enterprises can still rise on their own strength.
