GPD 2023 Presentations: Glass and Sustainability in Buildings & Industry Trends

The Glass Performance Days 2023 conference showcased a remarkable selection of presentations that emphasized sustainability and the evolving trends within the glass industry.

This segment specifically targets the role of glass in fostering more sustainable building practices, reflecting the industry’s commitment to environmentally responsible solutions. The discussions featured insights from prominent experts, who shared strategic approaches that not only enhance the ecological footprint of glass production and usage but also address the latest trends influencing the sector. By examining these critical themes, the conference played a pivotal role in highlighting how the glass industry can innovate and adapt to meet the growing demand for sustainable architecture and design.

Glass and sustainability in buildings

1. Klaus Muehlhans, A+W Software – “Sustainable growth by optimized production organization”
2. Michael J. Emonds, Chemetall – “Sustainable products in float glass (with special focus on ECHA microplastics guideline – Annex XV)”
3. Romaric Massard, eLstar Dynamics – “Dynamic Glass–What is needed?”
4. Stephen Selkowitz, Berkeley Lab – “Façade futures: Unplanned obsolescence and the looming threat posed by the facade to future building performance”
5. Steve Whettingsteel, Krysteline Technologies – “Developing a more sustainable glass recycling system”
6. Elvira Reino, SATINAL – “STRATO: structural and carbon-free interlayers shake up the safety-glass industry”
7. Graeme DeBrincat and Florence Wu, Arup – “The holistic approach to the recovery of glazing materials”
8. Hugues Lefevre, AGC Glass Europe – “How a holistic approach enables the production of Low-Carbon float glass, with an embodied C02 footprint reduced by 40%?”
9. Jeroen ter Schiphorst, ClearVue Technologies – presenting “High-transparency clear window-integrated PV and agrivoltaics”
10. Matyas Gutai, Water-filled Glass – “Water-filled glass (WFG) as a Heat Displacement System for saving energy in buildings”
11. Daniel Mann, TNO – “SunSmart–Thermochromic Smart Window for Optimized Solar Heat Management: From Lab to Pilot-Scale Production and Test Buildings”
12. Elke van Nieuwenhuijzen, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences – “In situ detection of product age and argon concentration as measure of the re-use potential of insulation glass in buildings”
13. Enrico Cutri, Dow Building Science and Philippe Willareth, Dr. Lüchinger+Meyer Bauingenieure AG – “Silicones – an important enabler of sustainable design”
14. Eoin Casserly, VOLUTA – “The Performance of Glass as Cladding Material in Long-Span Biome Structures”

Industry trends

1. Iva Ganev, Glass for Europe – “New carbon pricing system and new carbon border tax at EU level: what impacts for the glass and glazing sector”
2. Bertrand Cazes, Glass for Europe and Urmilla Jokhu Sowell, National Glass Association (NGA) – “Flat glass recycling in Europe and the US: state of play and challenges for enhanced circularity”