Maltha Glass Recycling: A new life for solar panels

Maltha Glass Recycling, a European leader in glass recycling and subsidiary of waste-to-product company Renewi, is proud to announce the success of a groundbreaking pilot test in collaboration with Saint-Gobain. A total of 75 tons of solar panel glass recycled by Maltha was successfully utilized by Saint-Gobain in the production of flat glass. This achievement represents a significant step forward in the development of sustainable solutions for recycling solar panels, paving the way for a more circular economy and reduced environmental impact. 

Solar panels: a major challenge 

As a critical component in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change, solar panels are essential to the energy transition. However, managing the lifecycle of these panels is becoming increasingly pressing. By 2030, millions of solar panels will enter the European market, necessitating robust end-of-life recycling solutions. 

The Photorama project1 was launched to meet this challenge. Bringing together 13 European partners, it aims to establish a comprehensive recycling chain for end-of-life solar panels. Through the development of cutting-edge technologies, the project focuses on recovering valuable raw materials that can be reintegrated into the manufacturing process for new panels.

Promising results from Maltha and Saint-Gobain

As an active participant in the Photorama initiative, Maltha collaborated with Saint-Gobain, a key player in the glass industry. Together, they achieved a milestone: successfully incorporating 75 tons of recycled solar panel material into the production of flat glass. 

The success of this pilot highlights the feasibility of a circular economy approach to solar panel recycling, offering a sustainable pathway for managing their end-of-life materials. These early results pave the way for a future where solar panel recycling is not just a possibility but a standard practice across Europe. 

“This successful pilot demonstrates the incredible potential of solar panel recycling,” said Kevin Bell, Managing Director of Maltha Group. “We are proud to work alongside Saint-Gobain and other partners to take concrete steps towards a circular economy. By turning end-of-life solar panels into valuable materials for flat glass production, we are proving that sustainable solutions exist for this critical component of the energy transition”.