Glassware manufacturer Pyrex, part of the International Cookware Group, is to invest more than €8 million in a production furnace at the Chateauroux, France facility.

The new furnace will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 1,000 tonnes per year.

Claude Bin, Industrial Director of International Cookware, said: "This furnace, which reaches a temperature of 1,500°C, consumes a mixture of gas and oxygen.

"The furnace will reduce our CO2 emissions by more than 1,000 tons per year, a reduction of 12 to 13%, by increasing the electrical share and optimising energy consumption."

The work will begin at the end of June 2022, to be spread out until mid-August 2022, in order to keep pace with the summer off-peak period.

International Cookware has received €1.8 million support from funds dedicated to energy transition from Ademe, the French environment agency.

Like all manufacturers who consume gas and fossil fuels, International Cookware seeks to reduce its carbon footprint.

"The next furnace change in five years will probably introduce new energies," predicts Mr Bin, who believes that hydrogen will be part of the energy mix.

A detailed interview with International Cookware's Technical Director, Johann Brunie, about the investment is available to read here .