Sustainability took center stage at the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Fall Conference , held October 8–10, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. A key session titled “Why Sustainability Matters Today: How Sustainability is Driving Codes, Clients and Competitiveness” brought together Paul Bush (Vitro Architectural Glass), Chris Giovannielli (Kawneer Company), and Michelle Foster (Home Innovation Research Labs). The discussion was moderated by Kathy Krafka Harkema, FGIA’s U.S. Codes and Advocacy Director, and sponsored by the FGIA Sustainability Steering Committee.
Michelle Foster emphasized that sustainability remains vital despite slower federal progress, citing tightening building codes, growing investor and client demand, and financial incentives for energy-efficient construction. “Fenestration performance is a key compliance lever,” she said, highlighting how window and façade systems directly influence energy ratings and carbon reduction goals.
Chris Giovannielli discussed Kawneer’s long-term sustainability roadmap, noting that the company’s dedicated team focuses on circular economy initiatives, eco-friendly extrusion processes, and recycled aluminum use.
From the glass manufacturing perspective, Paul Bush described the energy-intensive process of transforming raw materials into float glass, stressing the need for process optimization, lower emissions, and furnace efficiency upgrades. “Glass producers worldwide are investing in R&D for cleaner melting technologies and reduced carbon output,” he said. 
Bush concluded, “Sustainability isn’t a trend, it’s an industry-wide responsibility that drives innovation and competitiveness.”
Source: FGIA with additional information added by Glass Balkan
