Hip hip Oraé
By Mike Butterick, marketing director, Saint-Gobain Glass.
In a groundbreaking move towards sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain Glass has started UK production of Oraé, the world’s first lower-carbon glass, at its Eggborough facility in Yorkshire.
This strategic development underscores our commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of glass manufacturing without compromising on quality, aesthetics or performance.
Oraé sets a new benchmark in the glass industry by achieving a 42% reduction in carbon emissions compared to our standard clear float glass. This significant decrease is mainly due to the inclusion of a minimum of 64% recycled glass content, known as cullet, into the manufacturing process.
This is a result of our Glass Forever programme. This initiative facilitates the collection and recycling of large quantities of pre-consumer and post-consumer glass, transforming old glazing into high-quality new products. By embracing circular economy principles, we ensure that glass remains infinitely recyclable, reducing waste and resource consumption.
The Eggborough site’s transition to producing Oraé is a testament to Saint-Gobain’s dedication to environmental stewardship. The facility’s first production campaign has been successfully completed, ensuring that Oraé is readily available for immediate distribution.
Looking ahead, we’ve scheduled the next production campaign for the second quarter of 2025, reflecting a proactive strategy to meet the growing demand for sustainable building materials.
Glass Forever
The Glass Forever programme has laid a robust foundation for Oraé production in the UK. Through substantial investments in infrastructure and the establishment of efficient recycling channels with our customers and partners, the initiative has enabled the seamless integration of high recycled glass content into the manufacturing process.
This not only enhances the sustainability of Oraé but also reinforces the UK’s capacity to produce eco-friendly glass products domestically.
In addition to utilising recycled materials, Saint-Gobain has integrated renewable electricity into the production of Oraé, further minimising its environmental impact.
Our investment in a state-of-the-art furnace in 2021 has enhanced both efficiency and sustainability in glass manufacturing. These technological advancements ensure that Oraé maintains the same aesthetics, quality, and performance as standard products, delivering outstanding solar control, thermal insulation, and energy efficiency benefits.
Oraé is backed by an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), a third-party-verified document that communicates the product’s environmental impact over its lifecycle. Saint-Gobain Glass has been a pioneer in EPD transparency for over a decade, supporting customers in selecting the best-performing, lowest-carbon glazing solutions.
Furthermore, Oraé has achieved Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze under version 4.0, reflecting its adherence to rigorous sustainability standards across multiple categories, including material health and product circularity.
Oraé is now available in a variety of sizes and product combinations, including low-emissivity coated glass products.
The successful launch of Oraé in the UK market is expected to inspire a broader adoption of low-carbon materials within the construction industry. As buildings account for 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with half of new buildings’ emissions potentially stemming from embodied carbon by 2050, the introduction of Oraé provides a viable solution to this pressing challenge.
As the industry continues to prioritise sustainability, the demand for products like Oraé is anticipated to rise, prompting further innovations and collaborations aimed at achieving a low-carbon future.
Saint-Gobain Glass’s initiation of Oraé production in the UK marks a pivotal advancement in sustainable construction. Through the integration of recycled materials, renewable energy, and cutting-edge technology, Oraé exemplifies the potential of manufacturing to contribute to environmental conservation.
Glass Forever has been instrumental in establishing the necessary infrastructure for domestic production, reinforcing the UK’s position in the global movement towards sustainable building practices.