Low-Carbon Glass - A
Sustainable Game-Changer for the Construction Industry
As
the world grapples with climate change, it is the need of the hour for the construction
industry to adopt and develop innovative solutions to mitigate this environmental
impact.
Among
these ground breaking ideas, an innovative breakthrough by Saint-Gobain, low-carbon
glass stands out as a pioneering product that can reduce a building’s embodied carbon
footprint and play a key role towards a greener and more sustainable future.
With
ORAE India, Saint-Gobain introduced low-embodied carbon glass for the façade market.
ORAE India, specifically designed for glazed façade applications, meets the building
industry's rising need for sustainability solutions without sacrificing technical
or aesthetic performance. This new range of low-carbon glass reduces carbon emissions
by over 40% compared to regular glass. This revolutionary glass is here to redefine
the way we build.
Let’s
explore low-carbon glass and its numerous advantages in the construction industry.
What
is Low-Carbon Glass?
Low-carbon
glass represents a breakthrough in sustainable building materials. It is a glass
substrate with low embodied carbon compared to normal clear glass.
rafted
with a high percentage of recycled content for raw materials (70% compared to the
usual 18-20%), made with 100% liquified natural gas instead of furnace oil, and
with electricity from renewable sources, low-carbon glass is certainly an eco-friendly
choice.
How
Does Low-Carbon Glass Work and Advantages?
Low-carbon
glass works by leveraging innovative manufacturing techniques that reduce carbon
emissions and conserve resources, making its manufacturing an environmentally friendly
process.
Besides
the sustainable manufacturing process, ORAE, low-carbon glass, can be paired with
a highly selective solar control coating that reduces heat gain and enhances thermal
comfort in the buildings, maintaining energy efficiency all year-round. This, in
turn, saves energy costs and improves the performance of the building with a significantly
reduced environmental impact.
Additionally,
low-carbon glass can be laminated with a PVB interlayer to provide shatterproof
resistance. It can also be fritted or etched like any other glass, allowing you
to enjoy all the benefits of processed glass while meeting your sustainability goals.
This
distinctive glass can hence combine environmentally friendly glass with superior
performance and modernity while maintaining aesthetic and comfort standards. Low-carbon
glass can be utilised in skylights, windows or facades, adding practicality and
beauty. Low-carbon glass is an essential component in eco-friendly building designs.
This
strategic choice can play a pivotal role in meeting the stringent criteria required
for green building certifications, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable
and energy-efficient built environment.
In
the quest for a safe, efficient, and sustainable future, low-carbon glass adheres
to modernised thinking, offering a synergy between performance, aesthetics, and
durability. This advanced glass adopts sustainable practices, reducing global carbon
emissions and promoting eco-consciousness. Implementing such products can transform
the construction industry, reducing the environmental impact while enhancing overall
well-being.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Is
glass a low-carbon material?
Low-carbon
glass is a specialised glass that significantly reduces a building's carbon footprint
compared to regular glass. The product, made with recycled materials, liquified
natural gas, and renewable energy sources, minimises harmful emissions and energy
consumption.
What
is the purpose of low-carbon glass?
Low-carbon
glass is made with recycled materials and green resources; hence, it is energy-efficient,
lowering the building’s overall carbon footprint. Glass and facades form a significant
percentage of building material requirements and shifting to sustainable alternatives
such as low-carbon glass is the need for the hour to mitigate global warming and
climate change.
How
does low-carbon glass reduce emissions?
By
using renewable sources of energy for manufacturing, low-carbon glass has low embodied
energy. Besides this, the usage of a high percentage of recycled content leads to
the conservation of virgin materials which again reduces the depletion of natural
resources.
What
thicknesses of the low-carbon glass are available?
This
new product is available in 6 mm for both coated and clear glass.
How
can the architecture and construction fraternity benefit with low-carbon glass?
India's
goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 highlights the importance of using
low embodied carbon materials in building designs. The architectural community can
leverage this opportunity by incorporating these materials and implementing measures
to reduce embodied carbon, aiming for net-zero building ratings.