Zenbird Editorial TeamAGC Inc. and its subsidiary Autoglass Co., Ltd. will begin a demonstration project to collect and recycle waste automotive windshields, which involves repurposing glass generated during vehicle repairs and replacements as raw material for architectural glass. This will also be the first systematic attempt in Japan to circulate automotive waste glass into the building material sector.
AGC estimates that more than 10,000 tonnes of automotive waste glass are generated annually in Japan due to accidents, stone chips and deterioration. Despite this volume, a comprehensive recycling system has not been established, amd most of this glass is currently disposed of in landfills as industrial waste. Windshields are particularly difficult to recycle because they consist of laminated glass with a resin interlayer for safety. Separating the glass from this resin requires specific processing, making it more complex to handle than standard glass.
The demonstration project will utilise Autoglass’s wholesale and delivery network, alongside a nationwide network of automotive glass repair shops. AG Expert Co., Ltd. and Oda Anzen Glass Co., Ltd. will handle the glass replacement and the separation of glass from other components. The collected glass will be processed into cullet, which AGC will then use to manufacture architectural flat glass. The project will evaluate the quality, stability of supply and practicality of using this recycled material.
Utilising recycled cullet reduces carbon dioxide emissions derived from raw materials and the energy required for procurement and manufacturing. AGC expects a reduction of approximately 0.6 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions for every tonne of waste automotive glass processed.
AGC plans to verify the feasibility of this recycling scheme before expanding the target areas. The group intends to strengthen cooperation with partners, including glass repair shops, car manufacturers and insurance companies.
[Reference] AGC News (Japanese)
