Japanese companies AGC and Obayashi, together with MUFG Bank, have launched a process for recycling window glass from demolished buildings into raw material for the production of new float glass. The first project is the demolition of MUFG Bank’s head office in Tokyo, AGC reported.
Obayashi collects window glass during demolition of the building and sends it for intermediate processing. After cleaning and crushing, the glass is converted into cullet, which is delivered to AGC’s Kashima plant in Kamisu, Ibaraki Prefecture.
AGC uses this cullet as part of the raw material for producing clear float glass. The new architectural glass is subsequently planned to be used in construction projects, including Obayashi projects.
According to AGC’s research as of May 2026, this is the first time in Japan that companies have organised the recycling of window glass directly from a demolition site into raw material for float glass production.
As part of the demolition of MUFG Bank’s head office, the companies plan to recycle 149 tonnes of waste window glass. Of this, 81 tonnes will be used to produce flat glass within a closed-loop system. Some of the remaining glass will be used for glass wool production.
AGC estimates that the process will reduce CO₂ emissions by 49 tonnes. The company calculated the figure on the basis of the Flat Glass Manufacturers Association of Japan document “Flat Glass Recycling Vision: First Vision 2025”.
Previously, waste window glass in Japan was mainly used to produce materials such as patterned and wired glass. The new process makes it possible to return it to the production of clear float glass.
This requires quality control of the cullet, as the float glass process is sensitive to foreign contaminants. AGC is working with local authorities and private companies on a system for collecting, intermediate processing and supplying waste window glass.
In this project, the companies define a closed loop as the return of architectural flat glass after demolition to the production of new architectural float glass. Waste glass replaces part of the raw materials rather than the entire volume.
Demolition of MUFG Bank’s head office began in February 2025. Construction of the new head office started in April 2026, with completion scheduled for October 2030.
Flat glass manufacturers in Japan are also expanding the use of post-consumer cullet. The industry association Flat Glass Manufacturers Association of Japan has set a target of increasing its recycling to 110,000 tonnes per year by fiscal year 2030 and to 300,000 tonnes per year by fiscal year 2050.
Read also: European project proposes recycling and recovery of solar panel glass
Photo: AGC
Post-consumer cullet collected during the demolition and renovation of buildings
AGC introduces closed-loop recycling of window glass in Japan
ID no: 24480
Sep 15, 2026
Sep 22, 2026
