Maltha presented new developments in high-value solar panel glass recycling at EU PVSEC 2026, the 43rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, held in Rotterdam. The presentation was delivered as part of the European PHOTORAMA project, which focuses on developing circular solutions for end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) modules.
The project addresses a growing waste challenge: global PV waste is projected to exceed 210 million tonnes by 2050, while glass represents approximately 70–95% of a solar panel’s total weight. Recovering this glass at high quality could significantly reduce demand for virgin raw materials and lower the environmental impact of glass production.
Within PHOTORAMA, Maltha contributed to the quality assessment of recovered PV glass, cullet production and industrial trials. Advanced delamination processes separate glass, metals and polymers while maintaining the quality of the recovered materials.
A key milestone was the successful incorporation of 75 tonnes of recycled solar panel glass into new flat glass production at an industrial manufacturing facility. The project also investigated direct reuse of recovered glass in new photovoltaic modules, with testing indicating performance comparable to modules manufactured with virgin glass. 
Remaining challenges include antimony (Sb) contamination, technology scaling, regulatory requirements and market acceptance. Nevertheless, the results demonstrate the potential for PV glass to become a high-value secondary raw material within a circular solar industry.
Source: Maltha-Glass Recycling with additional information added by Glass Balkan
