The global glass industry is at a pivotal moment. The 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement highlights the immense pressure on energy-intensive sectors to cut emissions. But over the last decade, the glass industry has responded with significant changes, focusing on new technology, better energy efficiency, and improved recycling.
A key industry-wide action has been the publication of third-party-verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Pioneered by Vitro Architectural Glass in 2017, this trend has been adopted by companies like Guardian Glass and Cardinal Glass. In 2024, Vitro updated its EPD for flat glass, achieving a lower global warming potential of 1,240 kg of CO₂ equivalent, showing a measurable reduction.
New products are at the forefront of this effort. In 2023, the NSG Group launched its Pilkington Mirai glass, which uses alternative fuels and renewable electricity to cut embodied carbon by 50%. Guardian also introduced its low-carbon product, Nexa, which reduces embodied carbon by more than 30% by maximizing cullet (recycled glass) use.
Companies are also tackling emissions directly at the source. In 2021, the NSG Group launched the world’s first float glass production line using hydrogen, and in 2023, it began a carbon capture trial. Similarly, Cardinal Glass announced in 2025 that it had achieved an impressive a 95% CO₂ capture rate in its process. Even small operational changes, like a Guardian plant implementing a “ramp-down mode” on a coater, have saved the energy equivalent of powering 1,000 light bulbs for a year. 
Improving recycling is a vital part of the solution. With millions of tons of architectural glass ending up in landfills each year, companies are investing in new technology. For example, Solarcycle is building a new U.S. plant to recycle solar panel glass, and systems like Hegla’s IG2Pieces are being developed to separate glass for reuse. While the industry still faces hurdles, it is clearly committed to meeting decarbonization goals.
Source: mckinsey.com with additional information added by Glass Balkan
