AGC to produce low carbon footprint float glass
Under its Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality, AGC Glass Europe has announced that by the end of 2022 it will produce a float glass range featuring a significantly reduced carbon footprint of less than 7kg of CO2 per m2 for clear glass (4mm thick).
According to AGC, this will enable it to reduce the carbon emissions generated during the production of this float glass by more than 40%.
The low-carbon float glass will be processed into AGC’s key range of glazing products including Stratobel and Strophone safety glass, Iplus thermal insulation glass and Stopray, Ipasol and Energy solar control glass. AGC adds that the new low low-carbon glass will deliver the same aesthetics, quality and technical performance as its traditional float glass products.
AGC, which is targeting CO2 neutral glass production by 2050, has introduced a range of new processes at its production plant in Moustier, Belgium, to produce the new ‘greener’ glass.
This includes the sustainable sourcing of raw materials; the use of highly efficient melting furnaces including electro-boosting, that uses electricity to melt the sand; increased use of recycled cullet; use of green energy sources, and the optimisation of transport to reduce emissions.
Moustier will be the first AGC plant to produce low-carbon glass, although AGC plans to gradually transfer its low-carbon strategy to other sites, starting with the Seingbouse plant in France in early 2023.