LionGlass: A low-carbon step towards a sustainable future

Penn State University’s Sierra R. Astle, Nicholas Clark, Matthew Mancini, Shaylee Traugh and John C. Mauro discuss a unique family of glass compositions which can be considered as a notable low-carbon alternative to conventional soda lime silicate products.

Glass is a widely manufactured material, and as such glass contributes a significant amount to total yearly carbon dioxide emissions worldwide.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has shown that flat glass contributes anywhere from 0.465 to 0.579 metric tons CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per ton of glass manufactured.

Kayaçetin and Tanyer asserted that glass has a global warming contribution of 2.15 kg CO2e per kg produced.

The demand for window glass is expected to grow by 3.2% by 2027 and will only increase emissions produced by this industry.

The catastrophic consequences of carbon dioxide emissions for the earth are significant, with existing climate changes theorised to remain ‘largely irreversible’ for up to 1000 years even after such emissions cease.

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