AGC Glass Europe already recycles glass from its production plants and subsidiaries to produce new flat glass, by combining this recycled flat glass (cullet) with virgin raw materials – such as sand and soda ash – in the furnace.
The goal is to maximize the use of cullet in the flat glass production process, ensuring that more glazing waste is reintroduced into new glass manufacturing .
Recycle Glass is AGC’s dedicated service for collecting flat glass waste from industrial offcuts and deconstruction projects, including end-of-life glazing from commercial and residential buildings. This waste is then treated via a network of specialized partners to ensure high-quality cullet for circular recycling.
The AGC Energypane Recycling Pilot
AGC Energypane, based in Hannut, Belgium, specialises in the production of insulating glass, including double and triple glazing. The company has introduced its end-of-life glazing recovery service, designed to collect and recycle flat glass waste from its customers. These waste materials will be remelted and reintegrated into the production process.
A Simple & Efficient Collection System
AGC Energypane provides a practical collection system featuring custom-designed 2m³ containers, tailored for end-of-life glazing recovery. Designed with professionals in mind, these containers are low enough for easy access but offer an optimal size: large enough to prevent frequent emptying, yet compact enough to avoid cluttering storage spaces.
During renovations or accidental breakages during installation, professionals simply store the end-of-life glazing (without frames) in these containers. Once full, they are collected during the delivery of new glazing by Energypane, using a reverse logistics model. The collected waste is then treated into high-quality cullet, which is used for the production of new flat glass at AGC’s Moustier plant (Belgium), creating a locally managed, seamless circular process.
Looking Ahead
By using recycled glass in AGC’s production process, CO2 emissions are reduced by up to 0.7 tonne per tonne of cullet and avoid the extraction of 1.2 tonnes of virgin raw materials.
By closely collaborating with its clients and partners, AGC ensures that end-of-life glazing is no longer seen as waste, but as a valuable resource.