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As we look ahead to 2025, the European flat glass industry is navigating a complex economic landscape. From energy prices remaining high, to occasional supply chain disruptions and increasing global competition, our sector must adapt to very difficult market conditions while maintaining its commitment to sustainability and innovation. Adding to these pressures are uncertainties about EU policies that can immensely impact our industry, for instance the future EU ETS and Europe's decarbonisation pathways, possible extensions of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, our faith in the proposal for an End-of-Life vehicle regulation, etc.
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Glass for Europe has been steadfast in its mission to present the sector's realities and advocate for a supportive policy framework. Our industry is critical to Europe’s green transition, providing essential materials for energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy technologies, and sustainable transportation. However, achieving these goals requires a regulatory framework that supports growth and investment in sustainable technologies. In 2025, Glass for Europe will continue its engagement with policymakers, urging them to integrate a revival of construction in Europe as an essential pillar of an industrial policy that to bring coherence to the inter-linked agendas of decarbonisation, energy security, competitiveness and sustainable growth.
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By fostering dialogue, commissioning studies, and participating in policy discussions, we want the voice of the flat glass industry not only to be heard but also acted upon. Our sector, from glass manufacturing to processing, and IGU manufacturing, needs to speak with one voice, to overcome today's challenges and build for itself a future that combines economic performance, sustainability, manufacturing and innovation.
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As we close the year, I thank you for your dedication, resilience and support. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a successful 2025!
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Bertrand Cazes
Secretary General, Glass for Europe
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On October 14th, Glass for Europe dedicated a workshop to the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR). Participants had the opportunity to get informed and discuss the new text in preparation for the related work at all levels of the flat glass value chain that will be impacted.
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Justin Loup, Technical Regulations & Project Advisor at Glass for Europe, outlined this new regulation’s legislative processes and provided the main milestones for...
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On November 13, our members and partners gathered for Glass for Europe’s third workshop in 2024 to discuss the future Digital Product Passport (DPP) for construction products.
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The DPP for construction products, whose main features are outlined in the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR), aims to improve product information flows between stakeholders.
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Once harmonised product standards are cited under the new CPR and the DPP system is made available, manufacturers will need to...
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The new Construction Products Regulation (CPR) was officially cited in the Official Journal of the European Union on December 18. The full text, available here, is meant to solve certain deadlocks in the CPR-related standardisation process and align the sector with EU digital and sustainability objectives.
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The CPR will enter into force on 7 January 2025, with most provisions applying from 8 January 2026. Certain articles will directly take effect and permit the immediate start of the implementation.
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Glass for Europe is excited to release a new video highlighting the contribution of its members all throughout the value chain of flat glass manufacturing.
The video aims to explain the variety of actors involved in the whole value chain, from global leaders to small businesses. Particular focus is paid to the thousands of SMEs and glass processing and transformation sites that turn flat glass into advanced products fit for buildings, automotives, solar PVs and appliances.
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The first week of December was marked with two important events to discuss the role of energy efficiency and sustainable construction for the next five years.
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On 4 December, the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) organised the third edition of Energy Efficiency Day at the European Parliament. The Members of the European Parliament who attended the event all stressed the need to keep energy efficiency as a central pillar of this new mandate.
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Seán Kelly (EPP), who worked as a rapporteur on the new EPBD, underlined that the next five years will define the next fifty years. He also reminded the audience that...
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A new study run by Compass Lexecon, the European Roundtable on Climate Change and Sustainable Transition, and the Enel Foundation confirms that the decarbonization of flat glass manufacturing through energy still faces many economic and technological challenges.
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The study categorizes glass as a ‘hard-to-abate’ industrial sector, though potential solutions are being developed and tested by the EU producers. It also one of the sectors with the highest cost gaps between fossil-based and low-carbon technologies. Firstly, there is a technological barrier to developing electrified furnaces, due to the very...
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Glass for Europe, FEVE, FERVER, and Kuraray co-publish a joint statement to support the mandatory dismantling of automotive glass in the future EU End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR).
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Glass cannot be recycled if shredded with other components. For automotive glass to be recycled into glass, dismantling and sorting should take place before shredding.
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Therefore, the EU Commission’s proposal on glass dismantling in the ELVR would be an excellent legislative lever to increase the availability of high-quality automotive glass cullet and boost recycled content in glazing...
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On 23 October, Glass for Europe was present at Glasstec 2024 in Dusseldörf, the largest trade fair in the world dedicated to the flat glass sector.
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It has been an invigorating week, bringing together representatives from flat glass manufacturing, processing, transformation and logistics. The fair was an opportunity to meet and exchange with our Members and National Partners represented across the various halls, each showcasing the added value they bring to the industry. It was also the perfect opportunity to engage with representatives from across the value chain in all its diversity.
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On October 16, Glass for Europe held its Autumn Board of Directors meeting at the Industrious Business Centre in Brussels. Although unintentional, the business centre’s name underscored the key issue dominating the discussion: the severe competitiveness challenges currently facing the flat glass industry and the concerns about Europe’s ability to sustain its industrial edge.
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With a new legislative term and a fresh European Commission mandate on the horizon, Board members emphasized the critical role Glass for Europe must play in the upcoming months. They stressed the need for European decision-makers to recognize the gravity of the competitiveness crisis and to prioritize policies and regulatory...
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Last week, Glass for Europe was present in Ho Chi Minh City for the annual GlassTech & Fenestration Asia. The trade fair presents an invaluable platform to connect European partners with the growing Southeast Asian market.
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The fair was filled with meetings and enriching discussions with a variety of suppliers from the glass and glazing industry. It is refreshing to witness the vibrant energy and growth of the glass sector in Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s expanding economy and population provide a welcome contrast to Europe’s current challenges.
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Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass for Europe, addressed the audience on how sustainability can drive added value in our industry and the broader construction sector...
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Glass for Europe’s national partners group met in Brussels to discuss the implementation of EU legislations, circular economy and recycling.
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On 29 October, glass and glazing national associations gathered for their second annual meeting, this time taking place live in Brussels.
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Very High on the agenda was the ongoing implementation at national level of the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive which was published at the EU Official Journal in April 2024. Glass for Europe’s secretariat introduced the topic by...
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On December 4, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) celebrated its 65th anniversary with an appealing program addressing innovation, competitiveness, and European policy in the EU automotive supply industry.
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Glass for Europe is a long-time member of CLEPA, with whom we partner on safety, circularity, digitalization, and many other relevant topics for automotive glazing. Therefore, it was only natural that our automotive glazing advisor, Justin Loup, attended the event and congratulated CELPA for their long-lasting commitment to further the voice of automotive suppliers...
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