Verescence and Fives have entered into a strategic partnership to decarbonise glass production in France.
The project includes replacing an existing furnace with a new hybrid oxy-gas technology at Verescence’s Mers- les-Bains site.
Fives said it would be the world's first glass hybrid furnace for cosmetics applications.
Thomas Riou, CEO of Verescence, said: “This innovative project is part of Verescence’s ambitious decarbonisation roadmap, which includes significant investments to electrify the technologies and industrial equipment used in our sites, notably our furnaces, feeders, and lehrs.”
Prium Eco-Flex, a new hybrid furnace, will be able to produce 150 tonnes of glass per day.
It will run on a combination of oxy-gas and electricity, replacing up to 80% of fossil fuels with electrical power.
This configuration will drastically reduce carbon emissions while maintaining the production of high-quality glass.
The new furnace will be equipped with a Heat Recovery Area (HRA) system, developed by Fives.
This will enable the recovery of heat from waste gas directly into the furnace.
This solution increases the furnace’s energy efficiency by preheating the batch in a lowered superstructure section, leading to further efficiency gains.
Alexandre Brusset, Vice President - Glass at Fives, said: “Our hybrid furnace technology is designed to help glassmakers achieve ambitious environmental targets.
“It brings together flexibility, efficiency, and lower emissions, facilitating a green transition without compromising on performance or glass quality.”
The furnace is due to come on stream next year.
