Sustainability in glass is not just a trend – it is a responsibility!

Suhel Kachwala, Managing Director of FG Glass, explains how the glass industry is evolving to meet the demands of sustainable construction through smart glazing, energy-efficient innovations, and low-carbon manufacturing, while also reimagining glass as a key enabler of green, high-performance architecture.

As the world intensifies its focus on sustainable development, the glass industry stands at a pivotal crossroad, where innovation must meet responsibility. In today’s rapidly evolving construction and design landscape, glass is no longer just a building material, but a powerful tool for energy conservation, environmental responsibility, and aesthetic innovation.

For nearly five decades, our journey in the glass industry has been rooted in pushing boundaries – not just in product capability but in reimagining how glass can contribute to a greener, more dynamic architecture. With deep industry experience and a legacy of innovation, we have witnessed and shaped architectural glass transformation across India and beyond. The coming decade promises ground-breaking advancements that will seamlessly blend sustainability, performance, and design freedom.

Dynamic glazing and smart glass

The advent of smart glass—a material that can adjust its tint based on sunlight, temperature, or user control—is already changing how facades and interiors are designed. Electrochromic and thermochromic technologies are reducing reliance on artificial lighting and HVAC systems, minimising energy consumption. Though still premium products, these dynamic systems are becoming more cost-effective with scale and innovation.

The future lies in interconnected glass systems, where smart glass works in harmony with building management systems (BMS) to optimise energy use and contribute to intelligent, adaptive architecture.

Triple-glazed and vacuum insulated glass units (VIGs)

Insulated glass units (IGUs) have long been the backbone of energy-efficient glass facades. But now, we are shifting towards triple glazing and VIGs, which combine ultra-low U-values with thinner profiles and higher performance. The beauty of VIGs is their ability to perform like a traditional triple-glazed unit but with the slimness of a monolithic pane. This shift addresses a core challenge in sustainable construction: achieving thermal performance without adding excessive weight or compromising on aesthetics.

Low-carbon glass manufacturing

The glass industry is traditionally energy-intensive, but that is changing! We are seeing a new generation of low-carbon float lines, electrification of furnaces, use of renewable energy, and incorporation of recycled glass (cullet) into production that potentially cut emissions.

Some global players have already launched carbon-neutral glass; although such products are nascent, they signal a powerful trend. At FG Glass, we are closely monitoring these innovations and gearing up for greener manufacturing processes that reduce our footprint without compromising product quality.

Solar and energy-generating glass

One of the most exciting frontiers is integrating photovoltaic (PV) technology into architectural glass. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) are now more efficient, design-flexible, and aesthetically refined than ever before.

With urban buildings turning into vertical energy consumers, such technologies can transform facades into clean energy generators, turning passive building envelopes into active, productive assets.

Circular economy and end-of-life solutions

For all its durability, glass rarely makes it back into the supply chain after use. However, this is changing with major advancements in glass take-back programmes, recycling plants equipped for coated or laminated glass, and materials designed with disassembly in mind.

We’ve already begun discussions with partners on life cycle assessments (LCAs), Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and ways to extend the usability and recyclability of our products.

Let’s make future a transparent tomorrow

As we enter an era of conscious construction, glass will play a central role in reshaping how we build, live, and breathe within our spaces. As we continue to evolve, we commit ourselves to solutions that are not only visionary but viable for generations to come.

For more information, visit: https://www.fgglass.com/