Sweden's first flat glass recycling facility

Ragn-Sells has inaugurated Sweden’s first facility dedicated to recycling flat glass in Örebro, marking a significant advancement in material recovery and carbon emission reduction. The new plant, which can recycle large volumes of window glass for use in new windows, is a major step forward in the transition toward a circular economy.

04 Nov 2024
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The facility is equipped with advanced optical sorting technology, capable of identifying and separating glass by colour and quality to ensure that the recycled material meets the high standards required for recycling. This precision is crucial, as the sand that makes up most of the glass is a finite resource, one that requires a high level of purity for reprocessing. Without recycling, this valuable material could eventually be depleted. 

“If we are serious about creating a sustainable society, we have to start using the raw materials we already have. By recycling flat glass in this way, we not only reduce emissions but also preserve critical resources and close the loop on material use,” says Christina Stålhandske, materials expert at Ragn-Sells Sweden. 

“By recycling flat glass in this way, we not only reduce emissions but also preserve critical resources and close the loop on material use”

Christina Stålhandske, materials expert at Ragn-Sells Sweden

With a capacity to process up to 10 tonnes of flat glass per hour, the Örebro facility can meet the recycling needs of all Sweden and large parts of Norway. Recycling flat glass saves up to 30% energy compared to producing new glass, reduces emissions, and cuts waste management costs. Glass that would previously have been sent to landfill can now be recycled into new raw material used in the production of glass for windows, making the process more energy-efficient and sustainable. 

“We have both the technology and the capacity to redefine flat glass as a resource,” says Magnus Uvhagen, CEO of Ragn-Sells Recycling Sweden. “This investment directly contributes to a more sustainable society, where material recovery is at the forefront.” 

A sustainable future for flat glass 

Flat glass from across Sweden is sent to Ragn-Sells' pre-treatment centres in Örebro, Västerås, Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Umeå, where it is separated from other materials and crushed in a controlled environment. The crushed glass, known as cullet, is then transported to Örebro, where it undergoes optical sorting before being packaged for shipment. The quality-assured glass is reclassified from waste to product and sent to Saint-Gobain’s flat glass factory in Germany, where it is melted down and used as raw material in the production of new flat glass. 

FACT BOX: Why flat glass recycling matters 

Glass is composed of approximately 75% sand, a resource under threat of depletion if not recycled. To produce clear flat glass, a special type of sand is required, one that is exceptionally fine and pure. Additionally, any glass that is melted down for reuse must be entirely free of contaminants, as the purity requirements are stringent. 

By developing and operating Sweden’s first flat glass recycling facility, Ragn-Sells is not only addressing this resource challenge but also leading the way toward a more sustainable, circular economy that maximises the use of existing materials. 

This project was partially funded by Klimatklivet, an investment support programme co-financed by the EU’s recovery fund, NextGenerationEU. 

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