AGC Group has launched a demonstration project in Japan to collect and recycle discarded automotive windshields, marking a significant step toward advancing circular resource use within the glass industry. Beginning in June 2026, the initiative aims to recover end-of-life windshields generated during vehicle repair and replacement and reuse the recycled glass as raw material for architectural flat glass production.

The project is being implemented through AGC’s consolidated subsidiary Autoglass, which will oversee the development and operation of the collection and recycling scheme. Automotive glass installers AG Expert and Oda Safety Glass will carry out windshield replacement while separating glass from attached components. AGC will then process the recovered cullet for use in manufacturing architectural flat glass.

According to AGC, this is Japan’s first systematic initiative to recycle waste automotive glass into architectural flat glass. The demonstration will evaluate the quality, supply stability, and practical feasibility of using recycled windshield cullet in flat glass production.

Beyond reducing landfill waste, the project is expected to lower carbon emissions associated with raw material extraction and glass manufacturing. AGC estimates that recycling one tonne of discarded automotive glass could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 0.6 tonnes across Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, supporting the company’s broader sustainability and circular economy objectives.