Flat Glass Industry: Committed to Ecodesign and Sustainability
Ecodesign considerations have been an integral part of the flat glass industry’s development efforts for many years. According to Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass for Europe, ecodesign is at the core of the flat glass sector’s present and future growth plans. The recently released paper, “Sustainability in the Flat Glass Sector,” highlights the industry’s commitment to sustainable development.
Flat glass products are designed with ecodesign considerations in mind, ensuring sustainability across all industries that use them. The flat glass industry’s commitment to ecodesign can be seen in the many benefits that flat glass provides, including safety, security, and durability in buildings and cars. Furthermore, flat glass increases energy efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions.
Flat glass is a crucial component of solar energy harvesting, making it an essential material for renewable energy production. In addition, most flat glass products are “designed for dismantling,” making them easy to recycle. Flat glass manufacturing is constantly improving, with the industry already reducing its CO2 emissions per tonne of melted glass by 43% since 1990.
In response to the public consultation on new product priorities under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, Glass for Europe provided its input. Enhancing product design, making production more environmentally conscious, and reducing the environmental burdens of products throughout their entire lifespan are also objectives of the flat glass industry, according to B. Cazes. However, it is critical to avoid non-targeted and overly generic approaches, which could be counterproductive due to the specificities of different products on the market.
If regulations are introduced to address specific market failures or regulatory gaps that can support the industry’s efforts, Glass for Europe and the flat glass sector are committed to providing concrete and constructive input.
In conclusion, the flat glass industry’s commitment to ecodesign and sustainability is evident in its ongoing efforts to improve manufacturing processes and reduce environmental impact. Flat glass is an essential material for a range of industries, providing numerous benefits while minimizing environmental harm. Glass for Europe and the flat glass sector will continue to advocate for sustainable development and work with regulators to achieve it.
Source: Glass for Europe with additional information added by GlassBalkan