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‘Glass production is a national pride of Czechia. And rightly so. Europe cherishes these great national industrial treasures. And today, with the Volta project, we are investing in cleaner glass production. We are supporting the electrification of existing flat-glass furnaces so that they can cut emissions by more than 75%. And this is vital to make the European flat-glass industry competitive, also in the clean economy of tomorrow.’
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These are the words of European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen during a keynote speech at the European Green Deal Summit which took place earlier this week on 26 September.
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Glass for Europe welcomes this recognition at the highest European political level of the realities and efforts of the glass industry, and in this case of the flat glass industry specifically, for the second time in one year. Last September, the EC President referred to the need for focused support to the glass industry to face off the energy crisis in her State of the Union speech. This year, the focus is rather placed on the industry’s decarbonisation efforts with the support of the EU and the importance of a competitive European flat glass industry.
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It is very encouraging that the flat glass industry’s efforts are praised and that an innovative pilot project led by Glass for Europe members receive support from the EU innovation fund. The strive for a competitive European flat glass industry in a climate neutral Europe will however require more EU initiatives and conducive policies. The availability and affordability of clean energy sources, the development of recycling infrastructures, the renovation of buildings will be equally decisive factors. All these items are precisely what Glass for Europe will keep focusing on in the next months to make our Glass for Europe 2050 vision ‘Flat glass in a climate neutral economy’ a reality.
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Let us feel encouraged by this statement from the EC President. It shows our industry is on the right track, our association’s messages are heard, and we have policy interlocutors to work with on these issues.
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It’s an excellent basis to intensify our common efforts!
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Secretary General, Glass for Europe
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President Von der Leyen on the flat glass industry
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During a keynote speech delivered at the EU Green Deal Summit on 26 September, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen once more talked of the glass industry and the flat glass industry specifically this time:
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‘Glass production is a national pride of Czechia. And rightly so. Europe cherishes these great national industrial treasures. And today, with the Volta project, we are investing in cleaner glass production. We are supporting the electrification of existing flat-glass furnaces so that they can cut emissions by more than 75%. And this is vital to make the European flat-glass industry competitive, also in the clean economy of tomorrow.’
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It is very encouraging that the flat glass industry’s efforts are praised and that ...
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The ban on imports of Flat Glass coming from Russia needs better enforcement
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Glass for Europe released today a position paper outlining several enforcement issues of the ban on imports of flat glass coming from Russia. Despite the ban imposed following the invasion of Ukraine, flat glass originating from Russia continues to enter the EU, which raises concerns ...
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Glass for Europe responses to two EU consultations on C&D waste & flat glass recycling
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Over the summer, Glass for Europe responded to two EU consultations launched on the topic of construction and demolition waste. In both instances, Glass for Europe’s input was meant to shed light about building glass recycling and …
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Glass for Europe reacts to the European Parliament vote on the Industrial Emissions Directive
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On July 11, the European Parliament adopted its position on the revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive. The final text is drawing a delicate balance between the regulatory incentives for the reduction of emissions and the consideration of the individual circumstances of each …
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ETS Climate neutrality plans: Glass for Europe responds to the EU consultation
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‘Climate neutrality plans’ are a novelty introduced by the revised EU Emissions Trading System directive published on 16 May 2023. These climate-neutrality plans are to be drafted by operators of installations, i.e. potentially flat glass manufacturers, whose greenhouse gas emission levels …
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Construction products: CPR and ESPR reports adopted in the European Parliament
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In the last two days, the European Parliament adopted its first reading position on two essential pieces of legislation that govern the placing on the market of construction products. First, under the impetus of MEP Christian Doleschal, the European Parliament proposes to modernizes and simplifies ...
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Weights & Dimensions Directive: Glass for Europe calls for high sustainability ambitions and long-term harmonization
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European flat glass manufacturers organize thousands of transports every year to deliver products to their customers, utilizing tailored-made specific trucks to optimize efficiency and minimize transport-related emissions. Yet, optimization efforts are hampered ...
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Glazing products under the spotlight
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The exceptional properties of glazing are often unknown outside the sector. Be it policymakers, influencers or the general public, the different contributions of glazing to energy-efficient and comfortable buildings and to vehicles and automobiles are often at best misunderstood or simply ignored.
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It is a mission of Glass for Europe to inform and educate policy makers about high-performance glazing to help them establish a policy framework that maximizes energy and CO2 savings. Ahead of one of Europe’s warmest summers, Glass for Europe issued new materials to explain the contributions of glazing to summer comfort. In this early fall, new materials were released on the role of advanced glazing in automotive and on the several important characteristics of high-performance glass. All these materials including the video animations are developed with our partners and can be translated in several languages to expand the reach and continue spreading the words.
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High-performance glazing and summer comfort: a new video by Glass for Europe
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Today marks the launch of an informative video campaign signed by Glass for Europe which highlights the positive impact of glazing technologies on summer comfort. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the transformative potential of modern glazing in enabling EU buildings to adapt to a changing climate, reduce energy needs, and curb CO2 emissions, all while prioritizing occupant well-being …
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Choosing ‘High energy performance’ glazing in windows: new video and paper
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High-performance glazing could save up to 37% of the total energy consumption from the EU building stock by 2050! It is therefore a key element to tackle the building sector’s energy consumption and to reduce related greenhouse gas emissions. But what qualifies as ‘high-performance glazing’ exactly? In its new informative paper, “Choosing ‘high energy performance’ glazing in windows”, Glass for Europe provides …
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Glass for Europe answers the consultation on the new procedure for approving eco-innovations
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Glass for Europe’s members are committed to increasing vehicles’ energy efficiency by providing glazing products that positively impact vehicle cabins’ air conditioning efficiency. Glass for Europe therefore responded to the consultation on the new eco-innovation implementing legislation by outlining the necessary steps to enable more CO2 emission saving from the use of advanced …
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Glass for Europe Chairwoman promotes flat glass recycling
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Increasing the recycling of flat glass in a closed-loop model, flat glass to flat glass, is a priority of Glass for Europe. To give a further push to the issue, a video with statements and explanations from Glass for Europe’s Chairwoman, Joana Arreguy, Industrial Director Glass business from Saint-Gobain, was released on the topic. This involvement from a senior executive of a flat glass manufacturer illustrates the determination of our sector to close the flat glass loop and by so doing, to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance sustainability.
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Adrien Carton joins the team as ‘Sustainable Construction & Industrial Policy Manager’
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Adrien Carton joins today Glass for Europe as ‘Sustainable Construction & Policy Manager’. The Glass for Europe members, partners and secretariat look forward working with him to raise the profile of glazing in European policies on construction and to help shape a conducive policy for a thriving flat glass sector in Europe. This new position partly takes over some policy files and responsibilities previously followed by Luca Oggianu ...
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