Environmental Impact

Low Carbon. By Design.

The built environment contributes nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. Embodied carbon (the emissions from manufacturing, transporting, and installing building materials) makes up a quarter of that 40%. As climate events intensify in both frequency and severity, we face a critical choice with each rebuild: continue using carbon-intensive materials that reinforce the cycle, or build with low embodied carbon materials that break it.

Breaking the cycle of carbon-intensive construction materials.

Foamed glass aggregate represents a fundamental shift, proving high performance doesn’t require petrochemicals, fossil fuels, or compromise.

Breaking the carbon cycle requires materials that deliver performance and drastically lower embodied carbon through transformed waste streams, electrified manufacturing, and a commitment to building differently.

Why is Insulation Challenging to Decarbonize?

Insulation is essential for building comfort and energy efficiency, yet conventional materials like rigid foam board, spray foam, and mineral wool carry significant embodied carbon impacts. Most insulation materials rely on petrochemical feedstocks, synthetic blowing agents, and energy-intensive manufacturing processes powered by fossil fuels.

The materials used to reduce operational carbon often lock substantial embodied carbon into buildings. This tradeoff has persisted for decades because very few viable low embodied carbon alternatives matched the performance of conventional insulation.

“A low carbon future can only be achieved with an equal commitment to social justice.”

-Rob Conboy, Founder and CEO

Glavel’s Approach: circularity + renewable energy = measurable impact

Circularity

Made from 100% post-consumer recycled glass, diverts 20 tons of recycled glass from waste streams daily.
Transforms waste materials into a high performance building material.

Electrified Manufacturing

First electrified kiln in North America, powered by a 5MW solar array.
Zero fossil fuels in the kiln firing process.

Low Embodied Carbon

55% lower embodied carbon than traditional foam assemblies.
No petrochemicals, VOCs, blowing agents, or microplastics.
Permanent performance, no degradation or replacement needed.

Data-Backed Transparency

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) provides transparent reporting of A1 – A3 embodied carbon.
Declare Label discloses material ingredients, highlighting that Glavel’s foamed glass aggregate is Red List Free.

Carbon Emissions Impact (1M² at R20)

Sources: Carbon Leadership Forum’s 2025 Material Baseline Report, Vulcan Materials EPD, Glavel EPD.

	Glavel Foamed Glass Aggregate	Type IX EPS + 57 Stone	Type IV XPS + 57 Stone
Carbon Emissions	7.71 kg	17.20 kg	33.29 kg
Energy Production	Renewable	Natural gas	Natural gas
End-of-Life Options	Salvageable	Landfill	Landfill
Red List Free?	Yes	No	No

Materials Matter

The shift toward a low carbon future starts with material choices. Foamed glass aggregate demonstrates that low embodied carbon materials don’t require performance tradeoffs. Every ton of recycled glass transformed and every project specifying low carbon materials contributes to breaking the carbon cycle and building a decarbonized future.

Let’s Build Together.

Explore how foamed glass aggregate can work for you.