EPDs for Flat Glass in Europe The ultimate data guide
If you make float glass, sheet glass, panes, or glazing in Europe, this is your 2026 field guide to Environmental Product Declarations. We map who is publishing, which PCRs win, where expiries stack up, and how to time renewals so sales never stall in specs.
What counts as “flat glass” here
We focus on panes used in buildings. Think float glass and processed variants used in facades, windows, and interior glazing. Manufacturers often label these as float, annealed, tempered, laminated, coated, or insulating glass units. The rules that shape results are set by EN 15804 for construction products and program operator instructions that implement it in Europe (EPD International AB, 2024).
The five year snapshot at a glance
Across Europe, 21 currently valid EPDs for flat glass panes were issued in the last five years. They came from 8 manufacturers and were published by 4 program operators, built on 4 named PCRs plus a small set that were recorded with unknown PCRs in the registry.
Latest release in the period was on Mar 12, 2024. It covers SentryGlas Ionoplast film from Kuraray Europe GmbH with IBU using the Part B Plate glass for construction PCR. It is valid to Mar 11, 2029.
Why this matters commercially is simple. In projects that score with LEED v5 and similar schemes, a product specific EPD keeps you in play rather than being penalized by generic or default values that raise reported impact. That status can shorten bid cycles and protect margin when specs tighten.
Momentum by issue year
Most action clustered in 2023. Use this table to benchmark your timing.
| Year | EPDs issued |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 0 |
If your next product launch lands in 2026, consider pacing releases across the portfolio instead of bunching them in one quarter. Teams that stagger renewals avoid crunch time when PCRs update.
Program operators manufacturers choose
Four operators handled the bulk of activity.
- EPD International AB led with 17 EPDs across 5 manufacturers. That spread signals broad acceptance and cross competitor comparability. For many glass products this operator also hosts the c PCR for flat glass under EN 17074, which helps align scopes across brands (EPD International AB, 2024).
- EPD Italy published 2 EPDs for a single manufacturer. This is often a home market move for Italian producers.
- IBU hosted 1 EPD for 1 manufacturer. IBU is common for German based firms that want alignment with German market databases.
- ift Rosenheim GmbH published 1 EPD for 1 manufacturer. This is typically used by firms active in windows and systems.
A high count with a single manufacturer can skew operator tallies. In this set, EPD International AB shows both volume and diversity which is useful if you want your results to line up cleanly in competitive bids.
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Manufacturer scoreboard
Eight manufacturers accounted for the 21 current EPDs.
- Saint Gobain published 12 and set the pace for the category.
- UAB Stronglasas and Union Foam Spa each contributed 2.
- ArcelorMittal, ChromoGenics AB, Guardian Europe S.à r.l., Kuraray Europe GmbH, and OJSC Gomelglass each added 1.
The mix includes processed glass specialists and adjacent materials that appear in glazing systems. That nuance matters when you compare numbers. A laminated interlayer film EPD can still influence a curtain wall spec if it is the deciding component in performance.
PCRs in play and what to pick next
Picking the right PCR is like choosing the Monopoly rulebook. Get it wrong and every comparison breaks. Here is what manufacturers used in Europe for flat glass panes in the last five years, including the latest seen expiry for each.
| PCR name | EPDs using it | Latest expiry |
|---|---|---|
| PCR 2019:14 Construction products EN 15804 A2 1.3.3 | 12 | Dec 20, 2028 |
| c PCR 009 Flat glass products used in buildings EN 17074 2021 01 25 | 4 | Jan 22, 2029 |
| Part B Requirements on the EPD for Plate glass for construction | 1 | Mar 11, 2029 |
| Core Product Category Rules | 1 | Jan 14, 2029 |
| Unknown PCR in registry | 3 | May 12, 2028 |
What to do if you are starting now. If competitors sit under c PCR 009 for flat glass and your product fits EN 17074, staying with that family maximizes comparability. If your product is a system component that straddles categories, the general EN 15804 A2 PCR maintained by the operator can be a practical path. Always confirm validity windows and versioning since EPDs are typically valid for five years under operator rules before renewal is required (EPD International AB, 2024).
The renewal cliff to watch
Expiries bunch heavily in 2028 which sets up a busy renewal year.
- 2026 shows 3 expiries. Two under the EN 15804 A2 general PCR land on Sep 29. One with unknown PCR lands on Jun 29.
- 2027 shows 0 expiries.
- 2028 shows 15 expiries. Ten under EN 15804 A2 general span Apr 13 to Dec 20. Three under c PCR 009 fall between Sep 8 and Nov 12. Two with unknown PCR land on May 12.
- 2029 shows 3 expiries. One each under Core Product Category Rules on Jan 14, c PCR 009 on Jan 22, and Part B Plate glass on Mar 11.
- 2030 shows 0 expiries.
If you hold an EN 15804 A2 general PCR EPD that ends in late 2028, plan LCA data collection in early 2027 so you are not waiting on utility invoices or plant datasets. A smooth renewal means your sales team never pauses quoting jobs that require product specific EPDs.
How much outside help are teams using
Eighteen of the 21 EPDs were produced with an external EPD consultant or service provider. That is roughly 86 percent of the set. The takeaway is clear. Most teams prefer a partner to run data wrangling, modeling, and operator workflows for speed and quality. If you want a white glove partner, an EPD service provider like Parq can collect the right plant data, design the LCA model, and publish with the operator you prefer while your engineers focus on production. This is often the difference between hitting a bid window and missing it.
Notably absent or lapsed players
Some large European names do have active EPDs for flat and processed glass that are sometimes counted under adjacent categories such as insulating glass units. Pilkington and AGC Glass Europe are examples. Şişecam has multiple product specific EPDs across patterned, coated, and solar glass. We also see cases where EPDs lapsed and are not currently valid. Glas Trösch has had EPDs in the past yet none appear current in the last five year snapshot for panes. If that is your situation, consider renewing now to avoid being swapped out late in specification.
Operator rules worth keeping on your desk
Two documents shape most European flat glass EPDs. EN 15804 A2 sets the core rules for construction products. The EPD International General Programme Instructions interpret and enforce those rules inside operator processes including the common five year validity term for declarations in Europe. If you only download one thing this week, make it the latter since it clarifies modules, allocation, and verifier duties with current wording (EPD International AB, 2024). National frameworks like INIES align to EN 15804 and provide market specific additions for France with updated guidance in recent years (INIES, 2025).
Where this leaves you in 2026
If you sell float or processed glass in Europe, you have a clear playbook. Pick the PCR that matches your competitive set. Plan your renewal one year early if your expiry lands in 2028. Use an EPD service partner when internal bandwidth is thin. Then keep the momentum by aligning operator choice with your primary sales markets. Small moves here pay for themselves once you defend one medium sized curtain wall package. That is not hype, it is how specs work.
Want the full dataset and the latest adds. This article uses the global public registry that most architects and specifiers consult. Due to normal loading delays, the last half of 2025 may not be fully reflected yet. If you want the most up to date background data behind the charts, connect with me on LinkedIn and send a note. I am happy to hop on a quick call to help you pick the best fit PCR based on your competitive landscape for free. If you are ready to move, we can also scope an efficient path with an EPD service provider like Parq.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many current EPDs exist for flat glass panes in Europe from the last five years
Twenty one EPDs are currently valid in this snapshot covering the period 2021 to 2025.
Which program operator hosts most flat glass EPDs in this dataset
EPD International AB leads with 17 EPDs across five manufacturers.
Which PCR should a new flat glass EPD use in Europe
Most competitors use the EN 15804 A2 family with the c‑PCR for flat glass under EN 17074 when applicable. The general EN 15804 A2 PCR is also common for adjacent glass products. Always verify current versions and expiry windows before modeling.
When do most flat glass EPDs expire in the next few years
The 2028 calendar year is the renewal cliff with 15 expiries, followed by 3 in 2026 and 3 in 2029.
How often do glass manufacturers use external EPD consultants
About 86 percent of EPDs in this set were prepared with an external service provider, which is consistent with the complexity of data collection and operator workflows.
About the Author
With a passion for sustainability and a love for complex data, Toby helps manufacturers efficiently collect data from across their organization and get their EPDs done right. He’s especially interested in how AI can support human expertise, helping R&D and factory teams work faster, smarter, and with less friction.
