World’s largest glass companies announce Glass Plan – sustainable certification programme

Some of the world’s largest glass developers, producers and packaging companies have come together for the launch of Responsible Glass – a global certification programme set to bring new sustainability standards to glass production and sourcing.

Responsible Glass, the newly formed international multi-stakeholder not for profit standards and certification programme for the low carbon production of glass, has been launched with a commitment to help drive down carbon emissions, increase supply chain transparency and accelerate the shift toward more responsible practices across the entire glass industry.Glass is essential to modern life – from buildings and solar panels to vehicles and packaging – but its production is energy intensive and contributes 95 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions globally each year. However, unlike steel or timber, the glass sector has lacked a unified sustainability framework. 

The initiative – which has been backed by some of the world’s largest glass and industrial companies, in addition to global mining organisations and car brands such as Jaguar Land Rover and the sustainability advisers ARUP collectively employ over 150,000 people in the glass sector and generate $90 billion in revenue – is being spearheaded by Francis Sullivan, former head of sustainability at HSBC and Alan Knight, former head of sustainability at Responsible Steel, which, in less than a decade, has grown into a network of more than 160 members worldwide, including major steelmakers, NGOs and end users.

Responsible Glass will:

• Develop transparent, auditable standards for low carbon glass production.

• Drive improvements in emissions reduction, circularity, worker safety, and sourcing practices.

• Introduce a trusted certification mark for responsibly sourced and manufactured glass.

Founding members and supporters include:

ARUP: a global consultancy with extensive technical and advisory expertise. It guides, plans and designs the future of the built environment.

Belron: a leader in vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration.

Ciner Glass: a leading producer of glass containers. It supplies sustainable glass packaging to the food and beverage industry, with operations in Turkey, the UK, and Belgium.

Climate Group: an international non profit driving climate action by forming networks of business and government to accelerate the transition to a net zero carbon world.

DSS+: the global consulting firm specialising in operational transformation, safety, and sustainability for high hazard and complex industries.

IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance): a multi-stakeholder coalition that sets global standards for responsible mining.

NSG Group: one of the world’s largest manufacturers of glass and glazing products for architectural, automotive and established creative technology.

Stara Glass: designs and builds increasingly efficient and reliable furnaces, creating safe, quality and customised products and services and develop efficient, innovative and sustainable solutions.

WE Soda: one of the world’s largest natural soda ash providesr – a key ingredient in glass production – operating major facilities in Turkey and the USA.

Supporters include:

ARM (Alliance for Responsible Mining): ARM develop standards and certification systems for responsible artisanal and small scale mining (ASM).

Cary Group: a European market leader in vehicle glass repair and replacement.

JLR: a British multinational automobile manufacturer which produces luxury vehicles and SUVs.

ERM CVS: a global leader in sustainability consulting.

Chair of Responsible Glass Francis Sullivan said, ‘Driving social and environmental change in the glass industry requires an approach which values industry knowledge, social and environmental expertise, openness, trust and a forum where decisions are not only transparent but also equitable. This multi-stakeholder approach, tried and tested in the steel and forestry sectors, will be pivotal for driving this change. Our membership will be the driving force and the foundation for this initiative, and we are so proud to have companies from across the glass supply chain who are with us today and already working with us to make this change happen.’

Alan Knight, chief sustainability officer of WE Soda, said: ‘Glass is a material that touches hundreds of industries. From construction and the automotive sectors to new technology industries of the future. Only by engaging the entire value chain can we work collaboratively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address other critical sustainability challenges.

‘We have seen how this approach can transform an industry. With Responsible Steel, robust standards and global collaboration have driven real progress on transparency and accountability. Now, we are applying those lessons to glass and bringing together companies from across the world to accelerate innovation and develop new sustainability standards for glass production and sourcing.’

Munehiro Hosonuma, CEO of NSG Group, commented: ‘We are very excited to join as a founding member of Responsible Glass. This initiative represents a significant step toward global standards for responsibly produced glass, advancing sustainability and transparency in line with NSG Group’s long term carbon neutrality commitment.’

Responsible Glass will be working with the entire glass sector including the flat glass sector which manufacturers windows, glass panels mirrors and windscreen, the container glass sector which makes bottles and jars and speciality glass makers which makes a wide range of technical glass products including lenses and fibre glass.