In a significant move to address the growing demand for low-carbon building materials in the Indian Construction Industry, Saint-Gobain India has unveiled its first production of a new glass with a remarkably low carbon footprint. The product is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 40% compared to existing Saint-Gobain Glass India products.
This remarkable achievement is attributed to the use of two-thirds of recycled content as raw material, as well as the utilisation of natural gas and electricity derived from renewable energy sources. The production parameters will be carefully recorded to obtain a verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which is set to be published later this year, further confirming the substantial reduction in carbon footprint.
The development of this low-carbon glass is the culmination of extensive research and development efforts, coupled with the exceptional performance of the industrial teams at Saint-Gobain, aligning with the Group’s overarching ambition of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.
Despite its low carbon properties, this new glass substrate will retain the same level of technical, quality, and aesthetic performance as regular glass. It will soon be integrated as an option in the energy-efficient glass portfolio of Saint-Gobain Glass India, significantly contributing to the reduction of embodied carbon in buildings while enhancing operational energy efficiency.
The building industry currently accounts for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A joint study conducted by engineering consulting firm Arup and Saint-Gobain Glass in 2022 on facades highlighted the importance of simultaneously reducing both operational and embodied carbon.
Saint-Gobain Glass’s advanced Magnetron coating technology is already instrumental in reducing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from artificial cooling and lighting during the use phase of buildings (operational carbon footprint). By combining energy efficiency performance with lower embodied carbon in glass, significant reductions in the overall carbon footprint of buildings can be achieved while still providing occupants with the essential benefits of natural light, solar gain, and thermal comfort.
Mr. A R Unnikrishnan, Managing Director of Saint-Gobain India – Glass Business, commented that it is not a coincidence that the launch of India’s first low-carbon glass is taking place on ‘World Environment Day.’ It is a concerted effort from Saint-Gobain to sustainably contribute to the Indian Construction Industry. The building materials of the future need to be low carbon to achieve India’s commitment as a country towards Net Zero by 2070. This product from Saint-Gobain will accelerate this vision and will actively contribute to Light and Sustainable Construction, he added.