Press Information

Float, coated & laminated glass products attain Bronze Cradle to Cradle re-certification in Europe


[ GUARDIAN EUROPE S.A.R.L. ]

Jonathan Brunette, ESG & Certification Manager at Guardian Industries. Picture: © Guardian Glass

Bertrange, Luxembourg ─ March, 2023 ─ Guardian Glass is pleased to announce that it has attained Bronze level Cradle to Cradle re-certification for its float, coated and laminated glass product ranges, manufactured at its European plants.

The initial Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Bronze level Certification version 3.1 for the three European product ranges was attained in December 2019. Not only are these products now re-certified overall to C2C Bronze level version 3.1, but Guardian Glass is also one of the first float glass companies to meet some of the more stringent requirements of C2C Bronze level version 4.0. The three product ranges achieved at least a C2C Bronze level version 4.0 in three out of five performance categories (Material Health, Product Circularity and Water & Soil Stewardship). For Guardian float glass manufactured in Europe, C2C Gold level version 4.0 was achieved in the Material Health category.   

Cradle to Cradle Certified® is a global standard for products that are considered safe, circular and responsibly made. For more than a decade, Cradle to Cradle Certified has been helping companies to innovate and optimize materials and products according to advanced science-based measures. The standard encourages continuous improvement over time by awarding certification on the basis of ascending levels of achievement. Each certification level (Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum) represents increasingly rigorous achievement across five categories of performance:

•    Material Health
•    Product Circularity
•    Renewable Energy & Carbon Management
•    Social Fairness
•    Water & Soil Stewardship

Benefits of building with C2C products
The Cradle to Cradle Building Charter encourages architects and designers to create, from the very beginning of the project, environmentally responsible buildings and have a positive impact on the communities where they are built. A growing number of brands, organizations and building sustainability standards such as LEED, BREEAM and WELL recognize the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard as a preferred product designation for making more responsible purchasing decisions.

Jonathan Brunette, ESG & Certification Manager at Guardian Industries, comments: "This is a great achievement by Guardian Glass teams. We are particularly pleased to attain Bronze level version 4.0 in three performance categories for our European float, coated and laminated glass products. Compared to version 3.1, version 4.0 features new enhanced requirements, including new frameworks for Product Circularity, expanded requirements in Water and Soil Stewardship and improved alignment of Material Health requirements with leading chemical regulations and other standards. The re-certification demonstrates Guardian Glass’ commitment and investment in continuous improvement of its processes, producing more sustainable glass products for the European market."

For more information, visit www.guardianglass.com/cradle-to-cradle

About Guardian Glass 
Guardian Glass, a major business unit of Guardian Industries, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of float, coated and fabricated glass products. At its 24 float lines around the globe, Guardian Glass produces high performance glass for use in exterior (both commercial and residential) and interior architectural applications, as well as transportation and technical products. Guardian glass can be found in homes, offices, cars and some of the world’s most iconic architectural landmarks. The Guardian Glass Science & Technology Center continuously works to create new glass products and solutions using the most advanced technology to help customers see what’s possible™. Visit guardianglass.com. 

About Guardian Industries
Guardian Industries, a global company headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, operates facilities throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Guardian companies employ 11,800 people and manufacture high-performance float glass; coated and fabricated glass products for architectural, residential, interior, transportation and technical glass applications; and high-quality chrome-plated and painted plastic components for the automotive and commercial truck industries. Guardian’s vision is to be a preferred partner to our customers, suppliers, employees and communities based on a foundation of mutual benefit. This drives our relentless focus on improving people’s lives by providing products and services they value more highly than their alternatives and doing so responsibly while consuming fewer resources. Guardian is a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc. Visit guardian.com.

PRESS CONTACT:
Sophie Weckx 
Guardian Glass,
19, rue du Puits Romain,
L-8070 Bertrange, Luxembourg