Low-carbon glass is expected to become a mainstream specification choice over the next five years, but concerns around its performance, cost and limited awareness are still preventing wider adoption today, according to new research from Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group.
The study*, conducted with 100 UK-based architects and specifiers, found that only 54% expect to frequently specify low-carbon glass within the next five years. This reflects a growing ambition across the industry, but also highlights that current uptake remains lower than needed to meet broader decarbonisation targets.
The findings were unveiled during Pilkington UK’s recent webinar, ‘Specifying glass – circularity, performance and practicalities’, which explored the key benefits of low-carbon glass for architects and suppliers.
When asked about the main barriers, 42% of respondents cited concerns about performance or durability, while 41% pointed to cost compared with standard products. A third (33%) said that a lack of information or awareness about sustainable glass options was a barrier, while the same proportion reported resistance from clients. Limited availability was noted by 31%, and 28% said the lack of industry standards or guidance played a role.
Despite these challenges, there is optimism about the direction of travel. More than half (51%) of architects and specifiers said that the quality and aesthetics of low-carbon glass match standard alternatives, while 34% believe low-carbon options actually outperform them in this regard. Only 14% thought they performed worse.
Respondents also recognised a range of benefits beyond reducing embodied carbon. A total of 44% said specifying low-carbon glass improves brand reputation and supports alignment with ESG goals. The same proportion said it helps them to meet corporate or project-specific sustainability commitments. In addition, 43% said it enhanced appeal to tenants, buyers or investors who prioritise sustainability, and 34% felt it helped future-proof projects against stricter regulations.
The research also explored the role of circular design in specification. Four in five (80%) respondents said circularity is currently important when specifying glass, and 74% expect that influence to increase in the next five years.
Pilkington UK is supporting this industry shift with pioneering products that address both embodied carbon and circularity challenges. Pilkington Mirai™, its low-carbon float glass, delivers the same performance and aesthetic quality as standard products while offering 52% less embodied carbon. Meanwhile, the firm’s renew:glass initiative supports circular design by transforming glass waste into high-quality float glass, helping to close the loop on materials in construction. The initiative aligns with the firm’s vison to makechange™, focussing on collaboration within the industry to encourage sustainability.
The initiative is accelerating the industry’s transition to zero carbon fuels for glass manufacturing to move further towards a sustainable future.
Arne De Ceapog, Specification Manager at Pilkington UK, said: “We’re seeing growing ambition in the industry to cut embodied carbon, but that’s not yet translating into widespread specification of low-carbon glass. To change that, we need to build trust in the performance of sustainable products and address common misconceptions. At Pilkington UK, we’re working closely with specifiers to support low-carbon choices with real-world insight and technical clarity.”
The full insights and discussion on these findings are available via the on-demand recording of the “Specifying glass – circularity, performance and practicalities” webinar: www.pilkington.co.uk/webinar
