Flat glass production has a significant impact on carbon emissions in the construction sector. That is why AGC aims to increase the use of recycled glass. Yet circularity is not always straightforward. On many construction sites, flat glass is still mixed with other inert waste, as regulations do not require separation. Discover how a collaboration is helping move the construction sector closer to a truly circular future.
Ambitions
In the construction sector, flat glass production has a significant impact on carbon emissions. That is why AGC has set a target of -30% by 2030 and net zero by 2050.
Impact Reduction
To reduce our carbon footprint, we focus on our two main emission sources. First, energy for furnace melting. Second, decarbonising raw materials: sand, soda, dolomite. For the first, we are progressively electrifying to reduce our natural gas use. For the second, we increase our recycled content rate.
Challenges of Reuse
Today, there are no strict regulations in Belgium or Europe requiring separation of flat glass from other inert construction waste. Currently they can be mixed. This is where the service AGC Recycle Glass comes in.
Challenges of Recycle
The main barrier to recycling is twofold. It is operational and economic. On a construction site, it is often easier and cheaper to mix inert materials. That is why today this is a strong example of collaboration between Louis De Waele, Pierret and Shipit and AGC Recycle Glass, proving flat glass circularity on site is possible.
Project Reload: enhancing Global Circularity in Construction Materials
“Today, we are on the Louis De Waele site. We profit from the collection of old frames when delivering new ones. At our Shipit depot, we break the glass and send it to AGC’s sorting line, and recover aluminium for aluminium recycling.“ - William Dockx, Project Manager at Shipit Multimodal Logistics nv
“We engaged the Reload project to consolidate and recycle old frames while optimising on-site transport and storage.” - Corentin Jourdan, Construction Site Manager at Pierret.
“Reload ensures that, as contractors, materials from the site meet recycling stream requirements.” - Ludovic Ernst de la Graete, Construction Technician at Louis De Waele.
Ready for the Future
Together, we will find solutions, build the future together, and achieve our decarbonisation targets for 2030 and 2050.
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Chloé De Maesschalck
Recycle Glass - Finance Control & Strategy Monitoring I AGC Glass Europe
AGC Glass Europe is a producer and processor of flat glass. In Belgium, AGC has a strong footprint with ~2000 FTEs and 2 glass manufacturing sites situated in Mol & Moustier-sur-Sambre. We are committed to an ambitious trajectory of achieving an absolute reduction of 30% in our CO₂ emissions (scopes 1, 2, and 3, compared to 2019), with the goal of decreasing the carbon intensity of our products.
To reach this objective, we are focusing on several levers, including increasing the use of recycled material in our flat glass production furnaces. Currently, nearly 90% of end-of-life glass material is downgraded, mixed with inert materials, and generally ends up as backfill under roads and foundations.
We aim to change this reality by involving construction stakeholders to better understand their constrains and to test our concrete solutions that can redirect this material back to its origins. We are looking forward to exchanging with BGBC members and implementing pilot projects to promote new sustainable and economically viable practices for all.