O-I Glass has recently successfully completed a biofuel trial in its plant in Harlow, UK.
The world’s largest container glass manufacturer used 100% biofuel to replace natural gas in the furnace for the glass manufacturing process.
This achievement is part of a larger initiative led by Glass Futures, the UK-based glass R&D organisation, and part of the UK government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio programme, aimed at exploring sustainable fuel options for the industry in the UK.
By combining biofuel with technologies such as cullet pre-heating, 88% cullet usage throughout the entire trial period, and an oxy-fuel furnace, the Harlow plant achieved the reduction in the CO2 footprint for the amber bottles produced.
The trial at O-I's Harlow plant demonstrated the potential for using biofuel on a large scale.
This indicates O-I could implement this solution when biofuels become available in sufficient quantities and at a feasible cost for full-scale production.
Randy Burns, Chief Administrative & Sustainability Officer for O-I, said: “Our participation in this programme is a testament to our unwavering dedication to driving positive change in the industry.
“Glass is already recognised as the ideal sustainable packaging material, and our job is to integrate innovative approaches with efficient processes to further decarbonize glassmaking.
“By doing so, we aim to contribute to a more sustainable and economically viable future for the entire industry.”
