European Glass Packaging Manufacturers to Reduce CO₂ Emissions

European glass packaging manufacturers unite to build first hybrid electric large-scale glass melting furnace powered by 80% renewable energy. Twenty glass packaging producers, including Gürallar Cam Ambalaj, a consistent adopter and implementer of new technologies, are coming together for the first time in history to work on this concept and mobilize their resources for the project. Designed under the leadership of the European Union Glass Packaging Manufacturers Association (FEVE), which Gürallar Cam Ambalaj represents Turkey, the "Furnace of the Future" will serve as an important milestone in the glass packaging industry's decarbonization journey. This furnace, which will replace current fossil fuel energy sources, will reduce total CO₂ emissions in glass production by 50%. While some of the 150 glass production facilities in Europe currently operate with electric furnaces, most of these are small-scale and produce only raw materials; consequently, they can barely use recycled glass. Glass packaging manufacturers with a voice in the industry and environmental responsibility, including Gürallar Cam Ambalaj, are turning to electricity, one of the most environmentally friendly methods available, to use higher proportions of recycled raw materials. With this new technology, the industry will be able to produce more than 300 tonnes of glass per day in a single furnace using high levels of recycled glass. Realizing the "Furnace of the Future" is an extremely ambitious project requiring significant financial infrastructure, human resources, and diverse expertise. For this reason, it requires the technical skills and best engineers of major glass packaging manufacturers, including Gürallar Cam Ambalaj. The project also aims to obtain support from the European Commission through the Innovation Fund Financing Programme (ETS). In the project supported by Gürallar Cam Ambalaj in line with its sustainability goals, completion of the first furnace is planned for 2022, while initial results are expected to be obtained in 2023.

Why Is the Hybrid Furnace Project Important?

Currently, the use of electricity as the main energy source in the glass packaging industry is limited to small-scale furnaces that do not use recycled glass. This technology will enable high proportions of recycled glass use, which is not possible with electric furnaces. This technology, which will replace 80% of natural gas with green energy—electricity—will help reduce furnace emissions by 60% and total CO₂ emissions from a glass packaging facility by approximately 50%. This project will demonstrate for the first time in history that such innovation is achievable by bringing together the best engineers from 20 glass packaging producers. Thanks to the flexibility of this hybrid technology, in the event of a power supply disruption, a switch to alternative energy sources can be made. This will guarantee uninterrupted production.

List of "Furnace of the Future" 20 Founding Member Companies

 

Allied Glass	www.alliedglass.com
Ardagh Group	www.ardaghgroup.com
BA Glass	www.baglass.com
Beatson Clark	www.beatsonclark.co.uk
Bormioli Luigi	www.bormioliluigi.com
Gerresheimer	www.gerresheimer.com
GCA Gürallar Cam Ambalaj	www.gca.com
O-I Europe	www.o-i.com
Pochet	www.groupe-pochet.fr
Saverglass	www.saverglass.com
SGD	www.sgd-pharma.com
Steklarna Hrastnik	www.hrastnik1860.com
Stoelzle	www.stoelzle.com
Verallia	www.verallia.com
Verescence	www.verescence.com
Vetreria Etrusca	www.vetreriaetrusca.it
Vetropack	www.vetropack.com
Vidrala	www.vidrala.com
Wiegand- Glashüttenwerke GmbH	www.wiegand-glas.de
Zignago Vetro	www.zignagovetro.com