February 2024 Recycling of end-of-life building glass A powerful tool to reduce CO2 emissions Recycling flat glass is the most beneficial end-of-life option for building glass and glazing[1].In addition to its environmental benefits, recycling[2] is one of the most prominent ways to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions from glass manufacturing. The use of recycled
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February 2024 The REACH Restriction on Microplastics and the use of interleavants in the flat glass sector Explanatory paper The European Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 of 25 September 2023 ‘restricting synthetic polymer microparticles on their own or intentionally added to mixtures’ entered into force in October 2023. Its purpose is to ban the placing
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DECEMBER 2023 Reuse, remanufacturing, recycling: the case of glass for buildings Review of the technical feasibility and sustainability potential of the different end-of-life options for various building glass products In March 2020, the European Commission (EC) adopted a new Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) (COM(2020) 98 final) which promotes greener manufacturing, waste reduction, reuse, remanufacturing
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Sustainability in the flat glass sector Eco-design for Sustainable Product Regulation (ESPR) and flat glass products The Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)[1] has been conceived by the European Commission as an instrument to support Europe’s move towards carbon-neutrality by 2050. It proposes to regulate product design, manufacturing, and recycling to reduce products’ environmental
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Industrial Emissions Directive revision and E-PRTR recast: Glass industry’s views The European glass industry is an innovative and highly strategic sector from which the EU benefits greatly. Glass Alliance Europe supports the EU Green Deal and actively pursues pathways to reduce emissions. Glass products have a crucial societal contribution insofar as they are feeding
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June 2022 A revised End-of-life Vehicles Directive that supports greater recycling of automotive glazing Flat glass used in windscreens, side windows, backlights, panoramic sunroof and mirrors is an essential part of a vehicle. It is meant to guarantee unaltered visibility to drivers and safety to vehicle occupants in case of accident while being an essential
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March 2022 Continuous energy supply is essential for the flat glass industry This paper intends to inform policymakers on the necessity of continuous supply of energy, in particular natural gas and electricity, for the proper functioning and safety of flat glass manufacturing installations. The glass industry is singular in this respect as glass melting installations
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January 2022 The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism needs careful design to preserve Europe’s industries and value The European flat glass sector takes as its role to produce the materials essential for renovating Europe’s buildings, for supporting the clean mobility transition and for increasing the share of renewable solar energy in Europe. While already providing net
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A CAUTIOUSLY UPGRADED EU ETS DIRECTIVE The European flat glass sector takes as its role to produce the materials essential for renovating Europe’s buildings, for supporting the clean mobility transition and for increasing the share of renewable solar energy in Europe. While already providing net carbon-avoidance products, the flat glass sector is looking into ways
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An EU ETS mechanism for buildings and transport It is Glass for Europe’s conviction that to achieve the ambitious target on CO2 emission reduction of minus 55% by 2030 as proposed by the European Commission[1], drastic cuts in CO2 emissions from the building sector will be needed in Europe. Swift actions are needed today in
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December 2020 Glass for Europe’s comments to Sustainable finance – EU classification system for green investments The European flat glass sector takes it as its role to produce the materials essential for conducting energy-efficient renovations of buildings, for supporting clean mobility with lighter and thermally efficient automotive glazing and for increasing the share of
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From sand to flat glass Sustainable sourcing of high-quality sand for industrial use Europe’s flat glass is characterized by its strong local roots: from raw materials to production, transformation, installation and end-of-life management, it provides economic activity and jobs across Europe. It is estimated that 90% of the raw material used to produce Europe’s flat
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