Sustainability at Glaston

As environmental awareness increases, demand for more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable glass solutions is growing. Glaston views the promotion of sustainable development as a business opportunity, and as a frontrunner in our industry we are involved in creating industry standards and practices in relation to sustainability, such as for energy efficiency and safety.

In glass industry sustainability issues, there is an emphasis on the energy efficiency of glass manufacturing and further processing. Glass production processes are energy-intensive and the industry’s key goal is to further reduce its energy consumption as one means of reducing the industry’s carbon dioxide emissions.

In this, the energy efficiency of buildings plays a key role in transitioning to a clean and carbon-neutral economy. For example, 75% of the EU’s building stock is energy inefficient*), and heating and cooling of buildings account for half of final energy consumption in the EU. Therefore, improving the insulation of buildings is of great importance.

Of Glaston’s customer segments, the architectural and construction segment is the biggest. New standards, measures promoting carbon neutrality in Europe, and stricter legislation are supporting the use and development of more environmentally aware and energy-efficient solutions. At the same time, development of local control of construction with regard to safety and quality regulations is evident in many of Glaston’s market areas.

Glass will play a key role in achieving the energy efficiency targets for buildings in both new and renovation construction. The technologies developed by Glaston enable the production of more energy-efficient glass structures, and Glaston offers its customers a wide range of products and services that enable them to manufacture more energy-efficient windows and insulating glass units.

As environmental awareness grows, demand for solar energy and smart glass is growing. In addition to solar panels and cells, new applications of the future may include solar panels integrated into façades or windows to provide energy for buildings. In smart glass applications, windows that react to fluctuations in light or temperature, for example, improve the energy performance of buildings.

Sustainability at Glaston presentation at the Capital Markets Day on 26 August 2021.

*) Source: Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on energy efficiency, 2021.

Energy efficiency of buildings in Europe

• The goal of the Renovation Wave Strategy, published by the European Commission in 2020, is to at least double the number of renovations over the next decade and to ensure that they lead to better energy and resource efficiency. The goal applies to around 35 million buildings.
• The project will be a significant driver of growth for Glaston’s business, as coated double and triple insulating energy-saving glass produced with Glaston’s technologies are key solutions in energy saving for windows and glass façades.
• The glass processing industry has actively developed types of glass that can be used effectively to reduce the need for heating and cooling and thereby change the energy consumption of buildings.

At the end of 2021, Glaston updated the most material aspects of responsibility to reflect the new strategy and changes in the operating environment. The assessment also took into account the views of external stakeholders and the company’s own personnel.

The update revised the content of previously identified material themes. Glaston’s most material themes are:

• responsible own activities (personnel, environment, responsible business)
• responsible sourcing
• responsible partner and
• responsible member of society.

In connection with the materiality review, the most significant climate and biodiversity risks related to and arising from Glaston’s operations were also identified. Climate risks were mainly assessed as being medium or low. Glaston’s climate risk management is reported in more detail in the financial statements, in connection with the Report of the Board of Directors.

The sustainability report describes Glaston Group’s operations in 2021. The content of the report and the themes covered are based on Glaston’s updated strategy as well as a materiality analysis updated in autumn 2021. The report covers the entire Group.

Download the Sustainability Report.