French glass companies have called for financial aid for their decarbonisation initiatives.

Companies such as Saint-Gobain, Verescence, Verallia, O-I, and Saverglass, have signed a letter asking the French government to offset the indirect costs of decarbonisation.

Hélène Marchand, General Manager and board member at Verescence, posted on LinkedIn: “The French glass industry is investing massively to decarbonise its factories.

“Verescence is currently rebuilding its largest glass furnace in France with hybrid technology that can run up to 80% on electricity and reduce CO₂ emissions from this furnace by 85%.

“However, French glassmakers are now at risk of losing competitiveness because France still does not apply the European mechanism for offsetting the indirect costs of carbon, which is already in force in several European countries.

“The signatories call on the Government to implement this scheme as soon as possible in order to support the ecological transition, industrial employment and the competitiveness of French glassmakers.”

The signed letter states that France has prioritised industrial decarbonisation and glass companies are complying.

However, it points out that the country is weakening the competitiveness of its glass industry at a time when it is on the way to achieving its decarbonisation by not offsetting the costs of decarbonisation.

French glass companies are investing millions of euros in hybrid and electric furnaces and developing new technologies to reduce their CO₂ emissions.

The letter states that these investments place France among the most advanced European countries in the decarbonisation of the glass industry, with advances in hybridisation providing the opportunity for the industry to further accelerate.

In December 2025, the European Union extended the mechanism for offsetting indirect carbon costs to the various glass sectors.

This scheme makes it possible to offset part of the cost of CO₂ reflected in the price of electricity in electro-intensive industries, supporting companies that electrify their processes and are exposed to international competition.

Germany and Spain have already implemented the scheme, with Portugal, Austria, Poland and Italy planning to follow suit.

However, this mechanism has still not been applied in France.

The letter stated: “France has contributed to changing the European rule, but it is now creating a significant competitive disadvantage for its own manufacturers by delaying its application.

“French companies that invest the most to accelerate the ecological transition by electrifying are thus bearing an additional cost and are handicapped compared to their main European competitors.”

The letter concluded: “We are not asking for a French exception or new public aid.

“We are simply asking that France apply a European mechanism that it itself has helped to build.

“The ecological transition will only be fully successful if it also strengthens our industrial sovereignty.

“The glass manufacturers have taken their responsibilities.

“It is now up to France to support them by ensuring the coherence of its industrial policy.”

The 12 glassmakers who signed the letter are:

  • Arc
  • Baccarat
  • Lalique
  • O-I
  • Groupe Pochet
  • Pyrex
  • Saint-Gobain
  • St Louis
  • Saverglass
  • SGD Pharma
  • Verallia
  • Verescence