From Broken Windshields to Roofs: A Story of Innovation

Murat Ozcan, CEO, Leadax Americas

Have you ever wondered about the fate of your broken windshield? Sure, the glass gets recycled, but what about that resilient film sandwiched between the laminated glass panels? It turns out that that film – polyvinyl butyral (PVB) – often finds itself in landfills, contributing to the staggering 1.5 million tons of waste generated yearly from 14 million broken windshields in the U.S. alone.

Leadax has set out to revolutionize the flashing world by introducing a flashing material crafted entirely from recycled PVB, the unsung hero of your broken windshield. This journey into sustainability stems from their belief that waste can be transformed into something valuable and long-lasting, ushering in a new era for the roofing industry.

Now, why does the automotive industry heavily rely on PVB in windshields? Let’s break it down:

• Safety first: PVB makes windshields shatterproof, absorbing impact and preventing accidents.
• Security blanket: It resists impact from hammers or glass cutters – a testament to its durability.
• UV blocking superpower: This material acts as a superhero, blocking out 99 percent of harmful ultraviolet rays.

But here’s the real revelation – PVB, in its natural form, isn’t just an automotive superhero; it’s also a roofing rock star. Durable, high impact-resistant, UV-resistant, PVB stands as one of the greatest roofing products of our time.

The roofing industry, particularly in the building envelope, contributes significantly to the staggering 600 million tons of construction materials sent to landfills each year in the U.S., according to an EPA study. Roofing materials are replaced five to six times over the lifetime of a building, contributing up to 120 million tons of landfill construction and demolition waste.

In response, Leadax transforms the unusable plastic waste of PVB, the foil found inside recycled windshields, into highly engineered flashing materials. Leadax flashing materials are fully recyclable, eliminating single-use roofing waste and putting an end to landfill generation.

These flashings also emerge as an excellent alternative to lead, copper and metal flashing products and are tough, flexible, resistant to UV, sustainable, non-toxic and lightweight. Compared to lead, they are easier to mold, faster to install, more cost-effective and are up to 90 percent more sustainable than traditional oil-driven alternatives.

There is also a self-adhesive version that proves extremely resistant to long-term high temperatures, heavy rain and high winds. No prefabrication or welding required – just cut, shape and install right on the roof.

Approximately 600,000 tons of carbon emissions are saved by each Leadax factory, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable and equitable future. They believe that business can be a force for good and are on a mission to create a world where you don’t have to choose between speed, quality, design and protecting the planet: building a better future for the roofing industry and the environment.

FRM

Murat Ozcan is CEO, Leadax Americas. For more information, visit www.leadax.com.