
To achieve this ambitious goal, AGC has stepped up the pace of its efforts to reduce the climate impact of its production processes. The first results for standard float and low-carbon float (Low-Carbon Glass) are published in its Environmental and Health Declaration Sheets (FDES) and referenced on the INIES website.
A new updated FDES for the Planibel Clearlite float
AGC publishes an updated and verified MSDS for Planibel Clearlite 8mm, its standard float glass. This new life cycle analysis reflects a significant reduction in the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of this product, which was reduced from 11,6 kg of CO2 eq/m² in 2019 to 10,3 kg* of CO2 eq/m² (value measured on 4 mm thick glass).
The global warming potential of Planibel Clearlite thus records the lowest GWP value in Europe for a standard clear float glass.
*Cradle-to-Gate Global Warming Potential (GWP) (A1-A3), as defined in NF EN 15804+A2:2019. Value extrapolated from the results of the FDES Planibel 8 mm for a production of Planibel with a thickness of 4 mm.
AGC goes further with an FDES for low-carbon glass Low-Carbon Glass
AGC's Low-Carbon Glass has a much lower carbon footprint than standard float glass.
After collecting all the necessary data in production in two factories – those of Moustier (Belgium) and Seingbouse (France) – AGC finalized its Environmental Product Declaration (FDES – Environmental and Health Declaration Sheet) for its low float glass. carbon (Low-Carbon Float Glass), published in the INIES database, the French reference database on environmental and health data for construction products and equipment.
This FDES verified by an independent third party summarizes the life cycle analysis of AGC's Low-Carbon Glass, whose Global Warming Potential (GWP), measured on 4 mm thick float glass, is established at 5,5 kg* of CO2 eq/m² – a very significant reduction compared to standard float glass.
To reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, AGC has a holistic approach across its entire production chain. Low-Carbon Glass, whose recycled content** is greater than 50%, is made from:
- raw materials from sustainable resources
- processing these materials in highly efficient melting furnaces
- melting furnaces equipped with electro-boosting and operating using renewable energy,
- optimized transport between the Group's sites.
Professionals can use FDES to help them make informed choices for the design of more sustainable buildings with less environmental impact.
AGC Low-Carbon Glass has the same appearance and offers exactly the same technical performance as standard AGC float glass. Available in different product ranges and thicknesses, it can be used as a base material for the manufacture of double and triple glazing.
* Global Warming Potential (GWP) Cradle-to-Gate (A1-A3), as defined in NF EN 15804+A2:2019
** Calculation according to ISO 1402:2016, excluding internal cullet
Increased use of cullet thanks to AGC’s Recycle Glass service
Glass is an indefinitely recyclable material. This is why one of AGC's main goals is to use as much recycled glass (cullet) as possible in its production. The incorporation of larger quantities of cullet allows a reduction in direct CO2 emissions. In fact, recycled glass requires less energy to be melted and can replace virgin raw materials that emit more carbon (decarbonization in production and during melting).
To have access to significant quantities of cullet in order to reduce its GHG emissions, AGC launched its Recycle Glass service. Intended to collect flat glass waste from industrial partners and in renovation and demolition projects (end-of-life glazing), the Recycle Glass service allows their recycling for the production of new flat glass. For end-of-life glazing, AGC has set up a network of partners in order to only recover cullet that is guaranteed to be of good quality and suitable for recycling.
The Low-Carbon Glass range and AGC's Recycle Glass service are closely linked, since the Recycle Glass program was designed to meet the needs for recycled glass for the production of low-carbon glass.
Through these and other ongoing initiatives, AGC continues to move toward low environmental impact, of which flat glass recycling is an integral part, and leads the way toward carbon neutrality.