As sustainability becomes central to construction, AGC Glass Europe is exploring practical ways to integrate recycled glass from post-consumer sources into its float glass production. Through its Recycle Glass initiative, AGC collects glass from renovation and demolition sites, feeding it back into the production process at Europe’s largest float glass plant in Moustier, Belgium. This initiative is currently showcased in the OXY project by Whitewood and Immobel, a large-scale test case that Mathijs and his team are steering to evaluate recycled glass's role in large-scale construction.
Low-Carbon Glass: A Product of Recycled Content and Reduced Emissions
AGC’s Low-Carbon Glass incorporates over 50% recycled glass, or cullet, requiring less energy to melt than raw materials and therefore contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Produced with energy-efficient furnaces and partially powered by renewable energy, Low-Carbon Glass achieves a Global Warming Potential of 5.5 kg CO₂ eq/m² for 4mm glass—significantly lower than standard float glass.
AGC has published an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for Low-Carbon Glass in the INIES database, enabling professionals to assess the material’s lifecycle impact. This data provides a concrete basis for informed decision-making in sustainable construction, supporting those looking to minimize the carbon footprint of their materials.
Recycle Glass: A Practical Approach to Circularity
The Recycle Glass service takes a straightforward approach to circularity, sourcing high-quality cullet from demolition and renovation partners across the Benelux. By recycling end-of-life glass into new float glass, AGC reduces its reliance on virgin raw materials, helping to reduce associated CO₂ emissions. This service, led by Romain Lavarra, is aimed at simplifying glass recycling logistics for contractors, ensuring that recovered glass can meet AGC’s standards for reintegration into production.
A Practical Resource for the Benelux
For demolition and renovation projects in the Benelux, Romain Lavarra is AGC’s point of contact, assisting project teams in implementing glass recycling at their sites. By providing collection and processing solutions, AGC supports contractors in aligning their projects with sustainable goals.
Building on Real Results
With Low-Carbon Glass and Recycle Glass, AGC is building a foundation for sustainable practices in glass manufacturing. The OXY project serves as a practical trial to examine the scalability of recycled glass, providing the construction industry with insights into how low-carbon materials can be integrated into larger projects without compromising quality or performance.