To drastically reduce embodied CO2 in glass, all parts of the value chain need to be considered. This includes decarbonising the glass production processes as well as eliminating all CO2 emissions from the supply chain upstream and downstream as well as other indirect emissions, addressing simultaneously scopes 1 + 2 and 3.
To reduce by 40% the carbon emissions generated during the production of float glass (compared to usual EPD for clear float in the INIES database), a holistic approach is applied : sustainable sourcing of raw materials, use of highly efficient melting furnaces, increased use of cullet, green energy sources, optimisation of transport between production lines for finishing processes and finally optimisation of transport for end products.
By applying this approach, it is possible to deliver a Low-Carbon float glass featuring a significantly reduced carbon footprint of less than 7 kg per m² for a 4 mm clear float glass looking identical to and delivering the exact same performance and quality as standard float glass. It can be laminated, coated with thermal insulation or solar control coatings and can be assembled into DGU and TGU.
Hugues Lefevre
How a holistic approach enables the production of Low-Carbon float glass with an embodied C02 footprint reduced by 40%
Company: AGC Glass Europe, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
About the speaker:
Hugues Lefèvre is currently the product manager for health, safety and security glass at AGC Glass Europe and more recently in charge of AGC’s new Low-Carbon Glass range. He has over 30 years experience in the glass industry including research and development, sales and marketing of glass products. He is member of several technical glass committees and international associations. Hugues Lefèvre holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Catholic University of Louvain, an MBA from EPM school and a certificate in Legal Expertise from the Catholic University of Louvain.
