Automakers are trying to reorganize themselves to create more eco-friendly cars. But at the same time they are also trying to make the production process itself less damaging to the environment. They are implementing different energy saving methods, green energy solutions and of course waste reduction measures. Currently, Audi is having a pilot project to recycle damaged car windows to make new windows for the Q4 e-tron electric SUV.
When auto glass is recycled, it is turned into bottles and insulation – never back into auto glass. Image credits: Audi
If you are a responsible citizen, you are separating your trash. One of the types includes glass, which can be recycled by grinding and melting into new glass. However, auto glass is a lot different and in many cases it is simply thrown away to avoid dealing with different components. In other cases, car glass is turned into beverage bottles or insulation, which technically doesn’t need high quality glass. Audi says old car glass is not currently being used to make new car windows. But that could change.
Selected dealers in the Volkswagen Group’s retail network are starting to participate in the pilot project. First, damaged glass is collected from cars. These are usually cracked windows that can no longer be repaired. Grinded glass and non-glass materials, such as PVB rods and heating filaments, are separated. The recycled sheet is then mixed with quartz sand, sodium carbonate and chalk to create new glass. Currently, recycled glass can only make up 30-50% of the final product. After some additional processing (such as lamination, heat treatment and forming), the new auto glass can be returned to Audi.
Dr Markus Obdenbusch, production manager in charge of Saint-Gobain floats at the Herzogenrath site, said: “For us, the production cycle of new car windows in place of old windows is an important step towards manufacturing. produce auto glass in a way that conserves resources and energy. We’re just starting to look at glass as a recyclable material, so we anticipate there’s a lot more potential for improvement. ”
The goal of the pilot project with Audi is about 40 tons of recycled auto glass, but in the future Audi is looking to create its own circular economy strategy. Audi has perfected the aluminum loop, and it wants to do the same with glass. Currently, there is no closed material circuit for damaged auto glass. For now, the Audi Q4 e-tron will have recycled glass windows, but in the future, it could become an industry standard.
While glass is not as harmful to the environment as plastic (glass is just fancy sand), recycling makes a lot of sense. The more recycled glass you can use, the less quartz you will need to mine. It also saves energy. Recycled glass emits up to 30% less carbon dioxide than producing new glass. So hopefully Audi’s glass recycling solution proves to be successful and deserves to be developed.
The source: Audi
