About Windshield & PVB

What is a Windshield & Why is it Laminated?

Automotive windshields are manufactured using laminated safety glass consisting of two sheets of glass bonded together with a thin, flexible plastic interlayer made of PolyVinyl Butyral (PVB). This sandwich structure ensures that when glass shatters during collision, the shards adhere to the PVB interlayer, preventing hazardous flying debris and safeguarding passenger safety.

Properties of PolyVinyl Butyral (PVB)

PVB is a high-performance specialty polymer known for:

• Exceptional Optical Clarity: Transparent with a refractive index nearly matching glass.
• High Tensile Strength & Toughness: Absorbs mechanical impacts and dissipates kinetic energy.
• Strong Adhesion: Forms chemical bonds with silica surfaces under heat and autoclave pressure.
• UV & Moisture Resistance: Blocks over 99% of harmful ultraviolet radiation.

The Recycling Challenge

Because the bond between glass and PVB is extremely strong by design, conventional glass crushers cannot separate them cleanly. Without specialized separation technology, the glass is contaminated by plastic, and the plastic contains sharp glass shards, making both unmarketable. Our proprietary separation systems solve this bottleneck completely.