The new Low-Carbon Stratobel range delivers exceptionally low Global Warming Potential (GWP) values measured on a cradle-to-gate basis (A1–A3) in accordance with EN 15804+A2:2019. Low-Carbon Stratobel 33.1 achieves a GWP of just 9.1 kg CO₂ equivalent per square metre, while Low-Carbon Stratobel 44.2 records 12.9 kg CO₂ equivalent per square metre. These figures are verified through AGC’s third-party certified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Generator, providing independently validated environmental data for project teams.

Beyond reducing embodied carbon, the products also demonstrate a high level of material circularity. Both Low-Carbon Stratobel 33.1 and 44.2 contain 62% recycled content, calculated according to ISO 14021 and the Glass for Europe methodology. The recycled content combines recycled glass within the substrate and recycled material incorporated into Eastman’s Saflex LiteCarbon Clear PVB interlayer, creating one of the most circular laminated glass solutions currently available for the construction sector.

AGC has also made lower-carbon PVB the standard specification across the entire Low-Carbon Stratobel Clearlite range. Available in all clear glass and PVB thickness combinations, the solution eliminates the need for customers to request a special sustainable option, allowing architects, façade consultants, glass processors and installers to specify lower-carbon laminated glass without additional lead times or design changes.

To support sustainable building projects, AGC provides complete environmental transparency through project-specific EPDs generated via its verified EPD Generator. Consolidated data covering Global Warming Potential and recycled content is also available on invoices or through comprehensive reports upon request.

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The key innovation lies in the treatment of laminated windshield waste, which is structurally complex due to its multi-layer composition. Automotive windshields consist of two glass sheets bonded with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer, often combined with additional coatings, ceramic frits, embedded heating wires, sensors, and metallic or electronic components. These contaminants have historically limited the reuse of windshield-derived cullet in high-grade float glass production.

Through joint development between AGC’s R&D teams and Reiling’s specialized recycling facilities, a dedicated processing protocol has been established. The system mechanically and thermally separates glass from non-glass fractions, followed by advanced cleaning and sorting stages that remove residual PVB, plastics, metals, and electronic debris. The resulting cullet achieves a purity level suitable for direct reintroduction into float furnace operations.

This refined cullet is now being successfully used in AGC’s automotive glass production, including at the Retenice plant in the Czech Republic. Industrial trials confirm that the recycled material integrates seamlessly into existing furnace operations without affecting melt stability, optical quality, or mechanical performance. The resulting automotive glass meets identical safety and durability standards as products manufactured entirely from virgin raw materials.

AGC reports that, when combined with internal cutting losses and production scrap, the integration of recycled feedstock allows its automotive glass furnaces to exceed a 56% cullet-to-raw-material ratio (based on 2025 operational averages). This represents a substantial reduction in primary raw material demand and energy consumption across the melting process.

From an environmental perspective, the benefits are quantifiable. Each ton of cullet used in production reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 0.7 tons and displaces approximately 1.2 tons of virgin raw materials such as silica sand, soda ash, and limestone. In 2025 alone, AGC integrated tens of thousands of tons of pre-consumer automotive cullet across its European processing network, coordinated through production sites in Chudeřice, Tatabánya, and Koszalin.

The next phase of development targets scale and feedstock expansion. AGC aims to industrialize the collection and recycling of more than 300,000 pre-consumer windshields annually by 2026, with the longer-term objective of incorporating post-consumer windshields from repair networks and end-of-life vehicles. This would significantly increase available circular material streams across Europe.

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Zippe , a leader in tailored recycling systems, understands this demand and works collaboratively with specialized partners to deliver high-quality, customized solutions for a wide range of recycling needs. One particularly impactful area of focus is the efficient and profitable recycling of laminated glass.

Laminated glass, composed of layers of glass bonded together with a polymer interlayer, was once a challenging material to recycle effectively. However, through technological advancements, Zippe’s integrated approach is now enabling laminated glass to become a vital part of the circular economy.

A key element of this success lies in the clean and smooth separation of the Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) film from the glass layers. This careful separation ensures that both components can be recycled and resold, maximizing resource recovery and minimizing waste.

Furthermore, Zippe incorporates cutting-edge crushing techniques into its systems. These advancements significantly reduce waste generation and eliminate the need for traditional, space-intensive outdoor storage often used to loosen the PVB layer. By implementing these innovations, Zippe’s recycling solutions offer significant advantages, including:

Space Savings: Compact design minimizes the footprint of the recycling facility.
Reduced Handling: Streamlined processes decrease manual labor and potential handling errors.
Elimination of Disposal Costs for PVB Material: PVB is recovered and resold, transforming a waste product into a valuable resource.

These benefits directly translate into cost savings and increased efficiency for Zippe’s clients. More importantly, they contribute to a more sustainable future by meeting the growing consumer and political demand for environmentally responsible recycling practices.

Zippe’s commitment to innovation and partnership positions them at the forefront of the recycling industry, driving the development and implementation of solutions that address complex waste challenges and promote a truly circular economy. The efficient recycling of laminated glass is just one example of how Zippe is helping to transform waste streams into valuable resources.

Source: Zippe with additional information added by GlassBalkan

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Eastman Chemical Company is at the forefront of this innovation with the introduction of Saflex Evoca RSL, a groundbreaking rigid acoustic polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer designed specifically for sidelite applications in electric vehicles. As the first product under the Saflex Evoca platform, this new offering promises to elevate the standards of EV glazing while addressing critical industry needs.

Innovative Design for Enhanced Performance

The Saflex Evoca RSL interlayer sets a new benchmark in acoustic performance and design flexibility. With a remarkable increase in stiffness—between 20 percent and 40 percent depending on glass thickness—this interlayer meets the evolving demands of modern automotive design without compromising on efficiency. Its enhanced rigidity makes it well-suited for frameless and flush sidelite designs, allowing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and glass suppliers greater creative freedom in their design processes.

As electric vehicles gain traction in the market, the importance of effective wind noise reduction has become increasingly paramount. The Saflex Evoca RSL significantly improves acoustic comfort, delivering a 2.5 dB enhancement in high-frequency noise damping above the coincidence frequency when compared to standard acoustic laminated glass. This progressive acoustic performance is essential for creating quieter cabin environments, which are particularly valued by EV consumers.

Lightweight Solutions for Greater Efficiency

One of the key advantages of Saflex Evoca RSL lies in its ability to support thinner glazing configurations. By maintaining high acoustic performance while reducing overall vehicle weight, this innovative interlayer contributes to improved driving range—a critical consideration for EV manufacturers seeking to enhance vehicle efficiency. This strategic approach is especially relevant in a market where performance, sustainability, and consumer satisfaction intersect.

Hemant Dandekar, Eastman’s global commercial director of automotive for advanced materials, interlayers, emphasizes the significance of this launch, stating, “Saflex Evoca RSL offers engineered solutions designed to elevate the standard for EVs and meet the growing demands for design flexibility without compromising on efficiency, comfort, or acoustic performance.”

Key Features and Benefits

Saflex Evoca RSL boasts a range of features that underpin its transformative potential in the EV market:

– Rigid Skin Layers: These provide additional stiffness, facilitating frameless sidelite designs while allowing for thinner glass without an increase in weight.
– High-Damping Acoustic Core Layer: This innovation compensates for thinner and asymmetric glass configurations, achieving an optimal balance between acoustic performance and glazing weight.
– Optimized Sheet Properties: With high dimensional stability and optimal de-airing performance, this interlayer streamlines the lamination process for automotive door glass.

A Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation

As the first product launched under the Saflex Evoca platform, Saflex Evoca RSL underscores Eastman’s commitment to pioneering next-generation glazing solutions for electric vehicles. By fostering design freedom and enhancing vehicle comfort and efficiency, Eastman is not only addressing the immediate needs of the automotive industry but also contributing to a more sustainable future for transportation.

In conclusion, the introduction of Saflex Evoca RSL represents a significant step forward in the evolution of electric vehicle glazing. With its innovative design features and enhanced acoustic performance, this product is poised to redefine consumer expectations while supporting the overarching goals of efficiency and sustainability in the automotive sector. Eastman’s forward-thinking approach exemplifies how the industry can balance technological advancement with environmental responsibility, ensuring a brighter future for electric vehicles.

Source:Eastman with additional information added by GlassBalkan

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Eastman, a global advanced materials company, is addressing this challenge with the launch of Saflex LiteCarbon Clear, a premium polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer designed to significantly reduce the embodied carbon of laminated glass. Now available in Europe, this innovative product represents a substantial step forward in sustainable building practices.

Saflex LiteCarbon Clear boasts a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional PVB interlayers. With a measured carbon footprint of just 2.4 kg CO₂ eq/sqm, it achieves a 33% reduction compared to Eastman’s standard Saflex Clear PVB. This impressive reduction is independently verifiable, with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) currently undergoing verification by the International EPD® System. This transparency ensures credibility and allows architects and engineers to confidently incorporate LiteCarbon Clear into their sustainability calculations.

The benefits of Saflex LiteCarbon Clear extend beyond its reduced environmental impact. It maintains the high safety and aesthetic qualities expected from premium PVB interlayers, ensuring seamless integration into existing manufacturing processes. This is a key advantage, as it eliminates the need for costly process modifications. As Oliver Osborne, commercial director of architecture for advanced materials, interlayers at Eastman, highlights, “Saflex LiteCarbon Clear provides our customers with the ability to reduce the carbon footprint of their laminated glass, maintaining performance and quality without altering their existing processes.” This ease of implementation is crucial for widespread adoption within the industry.

This commitment to sustainability goes beyond the product itself. Eastman’s holistic approach, as explained by Peter Roose, director of EMEA technology and interlayers sustainability, incorporates pre-consumer recycled content, energy efficiency improvements across their operations, and collaborative partnerships with suppliers. This dedication underscores Eastman’s broader commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing.

The launch of Saflex LiteCarbon Clear aligns perfectly with the growing demand for sustainable building materials. It directly supports the achievement of project-specific embodied carbon goals and contributes to the attainment of leading green building certifications such as LEED and BREEAM. By offering a superior, lower-carbon alternative without compromising performance, Eastman empowers the industry to build a more sustainable future.

Source:saflex-vanceva.eastman with additional information added by GlassBalkan

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One of the key features that sets Trosifol® Extra Stiff Pro apart is its exceptional resistance, toughness, and elasticity. These qualities make it a superior choice for applications where durability and reliability are paramount. The film’s stability and glass adhesion further enhance its performance, making it a preferred option for a wide range of projects.

One of the standout benefits of Trosifol® Extra Stiff Pro is its improved stiffness, which results in a better glass coupling effect. This means that the laminated glass will have enhanced structural integrity and stability, providing added peace of mind for architects, builders, and end-users alike. Additionally, the improved strength of the interlayer ensures good post-glass-breakage performance, further enhancing the safety and security of the glass.

Another advantage of Trosifol® Extra Stiff Pro is its better edge stability, which is crucial for maintaining the overall integrity of the laminated glass. This feature helps to prevent delamination and ensures that the glass remains structurally sound over time. Furthermore, the interlayer offers a more neutral color appearance, making it an ideal choice for use with low-iron glass where color consistency is important.

Overall, the new Trosifol® Extra Stiff Pro sets a new standard for structural capabilities in PVB interlayers. By combining superior performance parameters with unmatched durability and reliability, this interlayer is a top choice for a wide range of applications. Whether you are looking to enhance the safety and performance of laminated glass in architectural, automotive, or other applications, Trosifol® Extra Stiff Pro delivers exceptional results.

In conclusion, Trosifol® Extra Stiff Pro is a game-changer in the world of PVB interlayers, offering unmatched structural properties and performance. Its advanced features and benefits make it a superior choice for projects where durability, strength, and reliability are key considerations. For those looking to elevate their laminated glass projects to the next level, Trosifol® Extra Stiff Pro is the perfect solution.

Source:Trosifol with additional information added by GlassBalkan

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As glass architecture becomes increasingly popular in building design, concerns about building security have risen. Eastman Saflex PVB interlayers provide a solution for architects to protect people and property from modern threats such as active shooters, burglary, and other intentional attacks.

Saflex interlayers have a long history in safety applications for accidental and natural causes. In the event of broken glass, interlayer glazing causes the glass to adhere to the interlayer, preventing shards from falling or flying and causing injury. However, architects must now consider intentional attacks on or threats to glass architecture.

Saflex PVB interlayers in laminated glass provide a critical line of defense, tested according to industry standards for building safety and security. The interlayers can deter or delay attackers from gaining entry to buildings, reducing or preventing human injury and property damage.

Recent glass testing for ASTM International’s newest standard, F3561, proves Saflex interlayers’ effectiveness against forced entry in a simulated active shooter attack. The interlayers provide defense against single and repetitive forced-entry strikes to glass and can meet all levels of protection, from one to eight.

Saflex Clear, Secure, and Storm PVB interlayers can meet different levels of protection, while composite interlayers like Saflex Storm reach higher performance levels in security testing while maintaining thinner laminated glass constructions.

Saflex interlayers are ideal for use in educational, industrial, and commercial buildings, which face an increasing number of manufactured attacks and threats.

For architects looking to enhance building security, Saflex interlayers provide a proven security solution they can be confident in. Learn more about Saflex security applications and data at saflex.com/saflex-guide/basics/security.

Please note that these products have been evaluated for interlayer capability and should be used as a guide. In cases where certification is necessary, glass fabricators must complete the testing as they are producing the laminated glass specimens used in the project.

Source: www.saflex.com with additional information added by GlassBalkan

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Eastman, the manufacturer of Saflex and Vanceva, has demonstrated its commitment to circularity and sustainability by receiving certification for most of its portfolio of advanced PVB interlayers, including Saflex Clear, Saflex Crystal Clear, Saflex Acoustic, Saflex Solar, Saflex Structural, and Vanceva Color PVB interlayers for laminated glass.

Cradle to Cradle Certified® is a voluntary product certification that verifies that products are safe, circular, and responsibly made. This certification is highly regarded by specifiers in the building and construction market, and it helps architects to earn points towards green-building credentials such as LEED, WELL, and GreenStar. The Cradle to Cradle Certified Material Health Certificate helps ensure the sustainability of selected materials by evaluating products throughout their entire value chains to ensure that they are not harmful to people or the environment during their lifetimes.

The PVB interlayers in laminated glass provide several sustainable advantages for the building and construction industry, such as superior acoustic and solar control performance, which contribute to comfort and optimize energy efficiency in architectural projects. Eastman has conducted a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) for Saflex interlayers, which has been reviewed and certified by an external third party, Quantis, to further support its sustainability claims. The LCA report also enables glass processors to reflect with more accuracy the Saflex interlayer’s specific environmental impact indicators in their laminated glass environmental product declarations (EPDs) and scope 3 emission targets.

Eastman is committed to advancing the circular economy through breakthrough molecular recycling technology, which diverts hard-to-recycle waste materials from landfills, incinerators, or the environment, producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions than fossil-based manufacturing. The Cradle to Cradle Certified Material Health Certificate is a crucial recognition for architects, facade engineers, and glass specifiers who are under increasing pressure to demonstrate and comply with sustainable industry standards. Visit www.c2ccertified.org to learn more about Cradle to Cradle Certified®, or visit www.saflex.com and www.vanceva.com to learn more about Saflex and Vanceva.

Source: Eastman with additional information added by GlassBalkan

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