French glass federation focuses on electrification in decarbonisation roadmap

The French Glass Industries Federation (La Fédération des Industries du Verre) decarbonisation objectives for 2030 and 2050 will focus on electrification and recycling.

The French glass industry aims to diversify its energy mix and shift to carbon-free energies, reducing and eventually eliminating fossil fuels.

Electrifying ovens and processes is the primary decarbonisation strategy, transitioning the industry from gas-intensive to electro-intensive.

The energy consumed during the production of glass largely comes from natural gas (75%) and electricity (20%).

Jacques Bordat, President of the Federation of Glass Industries, said: “The transition of the glass industry towards a carbon-free world is underway. Glassmakers are committing and investing now in actions and projects to decarbonise their production.”

The French glass sector is implementing a decarbonisation strategy which includes the use of decarbonised energy and raw materials, improved energy efficiency, glass recycling and eco-design of products.

This includes developing 100% electric ovens or hybrid ovens using 80% electricity and 20% gas, depending on oven size and glass type.

Highly electrified, hybrid ovens are particularly suitable for large ovens, such as those used for food packaging and flat glass.

In addition to electrification, the residual fossil natural gas will gradually be replaced by biogas, particularly biomethane.

Several investments in hybrid ovens have been unveiled in Europe.

This includes Saverglass’s site in Le Havre, France, which will be equipped with an 80% electric hybrid oven in 2027.

Total emissions from the French glass sector are 2.7 million tonnes of CO₂, or 3% of industrial CO₂ emissions in France and 0.6% of total French emissions.

80% of the sector's emissions are linked to the use of fossil fuels (mainly natural gas) used to melt glass, and 20% are process emissions, linked to the decarbonisation of raw materials.

The French Glass Industries Federation has validated its decarbonisation strategy and roadmap.

At the end of 2023, the federation’s decarbonisation roadmap was validated by the country’s Ministry of Industry.

In April 2024, it developed its Sector Transition Plan (PTS) with the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME).

These approaches involved the collaboration of glass companies, which shared their research and projects with the organisation.