News release overview
Hitachi, Itoki, and Tokuyama demonstrate upcycling of photovoltaic panel glass directly into office furniture
Low-temperature thermal decomposition and nondestructive evaluation enable reuse of plate glass as building materials and furniture components without crushing, potentially halving CO₂ emissions
Prototype video conferencing booth made from recycled glass recovered from photovoltaic panels (exterior)
Tokyo, September 1, 2025 —Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501, “Hitachi”), Itoki Corporation (“TSE: 7972, Itoki”), and Tokuyama Corporation (“TSE: 4043, Tokuyama”) have demonstrated the upcycling*1 of plate glass recovered from photovoltaic panels—which have traditionally posed disposal challenges—into furniture components as another step toward realizing a circular society. High-quality plate glass was recovered using Tokuyama’s low-temperature thermal decomposition, and degradation effects such as cracks*2 and alkaline elution*3 were evaluated with Hitachi’s nondestructive strength estimation technology to enable direct reuse of the glass. Itoki, meanwhile, created a prototype video conferencing booth that utilizes the unique characteristics of the recovered plate glass, offering new value for recycled materials. This initiative opens the way for the creation of sustainable office and public spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly, providing users with a new value experience that fuses social contribution and design. Marking the first time that plate glass recovered from photovoltaic panels has been reused in office furniture without first being crushed,*4 the initiative is expected to reduce waste and cut CO₂ emissions by up to 50% compared to manufacturing new glass, propelling the creation of sustainable social infrastructure. Looking ahead to commercialization, the three companies will work with partners in office furniture, building materials, and a range of other fields to build supply chains, consider business models, and further standardize quality verification and evaluation technologies so as to accelerate the realization of a carbon-neutral circular economy.
*1 Upcycling: Added-value recycling of products that would otherwise be thrown away; also known as “creative reuse.”
*2 Cracks: Minute cracks or dents on the glass surface caused by flying debris hitting a photovoltaic panel.
*3 Alkaline elution: The phenomenon whereby sodium and other alkaline components on the glass surface dissolve
when exposed to water or alkaline solutions during long-term outdoor use.
*4 Research by Hitachi, Itoki, and Tokuyama (as of August 2025).
