Saint-Gobain Glass has partnered with VEKA Recycling to significantly improve post-consumer glass recycling in the United Kingdom’s fenestration industry. This strategic alliance marks a major advancement in sustainable construction and supports the development of a circular economy by addressing critical gaps in the glazing sector’s recycling infrastructure.

The initiative aims to solve a long-standing issue in the industry: the lack of a streamlined process for collecting and recycling used glass from end-of-life windows and glazed units. By combining Saint-Gobain’s innovation in glass production with VEKA Recycling’s more than 30 years of expertise in PVCu recycling, the companies intend to close the loop on glass waste and divert a substantial volume of recyclable material away from landfills.

At the center of the partnership is Saint-Gobain’s patented ICG Recycling Machine. This advanced technology effectively separates annealed and toughened glass from spacer bars, enabling the recovery of clean glass cullet. The reclaimed glass is then reintroduced directly into float glass manufacturing, reducing the need for raw material extraction. This process cuts energy usage by up to 30 percent and lowers carbon dioxide emissions throughout the supply chain.

One of the most impactful features of the initiative is the ability to recycle fully glazed window frames without requiring deglazing at the collection site. This approach simplifies logistics, reduces labor costs and increases participation from contractors and fabricators. VEKA Recycling is currently focusing its collection and processing within a 100-mile radius of its upgraded Wellingborough facility in Northamptonshire. The site recently received a £15 million investment to expand its processing capacity and integrate advanced recycling technologies.

Michael Butterick, marketing director at Saint-Gobain Glass, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “We are excited to work with VEKA Recycling to provide a practical, scalable solution for post-consumer glass recycling,” he said. “This collaboration bridges the infrastructure gap and supports our long-term sustainability objectives.”

Tim Taylor, commercial director at VEKA plc, emphasized the significance of the effort. “This partnership is a major milestone on the path to a circular economy in the UK,” Taylor said. “It’s essential that materials from the fenestration industry are collected, recycled and reused within the country to meet future sustainability goals.”

The partnership aligns with Saint-Gobain’s global ambition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Meanwhile, VEKA Recycling is committed to creating a domestic closed-loop recycling system, making this collaboration a key development in the transition to a greener, more sustainable glazing industry.