Cover glass from photovoltaic modules recycled into float glass
NSG Group reports that it has successfully manufactured float glass using cover glass recovered from photovoltaic (PV) modules.
The trial was carried out at its Chiba Plant in Ichihara City, Japan. Glass was separated at Tokuyama Corporation’s PV panel, recycling demonstration facility in Hokkaido, Japan.
Historically, PV cover glass has been difficult to recycle due to its composition, which uses strong adhesives to maintain long-term durability. Tokuyama’s low-temperature thermal decomposition process pyrolyses the resin binding the module components, enabling glass, cells and interconnectors to be separated more precisely.
NSG says the trial confirms that the recovered material could be used under defined conditions, supporting the feasibility of ‘horizontal’ recycling into float glass.
The companies say the approach could reduce demand for raw materials such as silica sand and soda ash, increase cullet use, and lower CO₂ emissions from glass manufacturing.
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