Schott plans to build an electric melting tank in Mitterteich, Bavaria, Germany by the beginning of 2026.

The specialty glass company is currently conducting research into melting glass with sustainable energy sources instead of natural gas.

The group is focusing on two options: electrifying melting tanks with green electricity, or using green hydrogen.

The company aims to build an electric melting tank in Mitterteich, Bavaria, by the beginning of 2026.

The tank will use electricity to melt glass for the pharmaceutical industry in a more climate-friendly way.

The pilot tank, powered by green electricity, is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 80% compared to the melting tanks currently in use.

Natural gas will still need to be used in some areas.

The project aims to set new standards for the entire industry, and is therefore being funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, and the European Union, to the amount of €14.8 million.

Schott will invest approximately €40 million in the project.

The company also successfully carried out laboratory tests with 100% hydrogen earlier this year.

More tests on melting tanks on an industrial scale are to follow in 2024.

On Schott’s previous tests, Michael Hahn, Head of Melting Research, said: “Our results were very promising. In the pilot plant, we were able to increase the share of electrical energy to up to 60% for difficult-to-melt aluminosilicate glasses, for example, while maintaining at least the same glass quality.

“We have thus shown that a ‘super-hybrid tank’ with a higher percentage of electrical heating than fossil heating is possible in principle.”