AGC Glass Europe (Louvain-la-Neuve), a European leader in flat glass, the world's first and only glassmaker to have successfully obtained Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze for its insulating glass products Thermobel and iplus/ipasol. This latest  certification marks one more stage in AGC's commitment to the environment and sustainability.

The “Cradle to Cradle Certified^TM Products Program” evaluates a product's sustainability across its entire lifecycle. To obtain certification, the product must meet stringent criteria in five categories pertaining to health and environmental protection. The total score obtained for AGC’s Thermobel and iplus/ipasol ranges was Bronze, but reached Silver in two categories (Material Reutilisation and Water Stewardship) and Gold in one (Social Responsibility).

By opting for Thermobel or iplus/ipasol Cradle to Cradle Certified^TM Bronze glazings, architects and specifiers can guarantee the sustainability of their projects and earn higher ratings in environmental certification programmes for buildings, such as LEED.

Cradle to Cradle Certified^TM certification for an insulating glass product involves many more stakeholders than other glass products because it is not just the glass that is certified, but all the components that go into its assembly into double or triple glazing, such as interlayers, adhesives, etc. AGC is the first glassmaker to have undergone this process, which includes dozens of suppliers and 40 AGC plants active in the manufacturing process.

Each supplier was asked to detail the chemical composition of the materials used in Thermobel and iplus/ipasol insulating glass products, thus guaranteeing the sustainability of the finished product as required under the certification process of the “Cradle to Cradle Certified^TM Product Program”.

AGC Glass Europe produces, processes and markets flat glass for the construction industry (external glazing and interior decoration), car manufacture and solar power Applications. It is the European branch of AGC, the world’s leading producer of flat glass. It has over 100 sites throughout Europe, from Spain to Russia, and employs around 16,000 employees.