Sefpro will inaugurate a new-generative electrofusion furnace at its Le Pontet site, in southern France, in the second half of 2024.
With the low carbon objective of the glass industry, glassmakers are exploring ways to reduce their CO2 emissions.
In line with this goal, and to open up new development opportunities, Sefpro has designed a unique production line.
The furnace will use up to 20% hydrogen instead of natural gas, allowing for energy savings by melting glass with decarbonised energy.
Compared with traditional furnaces, the new energy requirement for annealing is reduced by 65% with current technology standards.
The investment is fully in line with Sefpro’s sustainability roadmap, both in terms of carbon emissions and circularity.
The highly flexible and automated line will manufacture various standards of refractory solutions.
Initially, the line will increase production capacity for Cruciforms refractories, which are installed in the regenerators of glass furnaces to boost heat exchange.
Later, the line will be extended to other fused-cast standard solutions such as paving tiles - essential for reinforcing bottom of electric or electrically boosted furnaces - or arch stones - suitable for oxy-fuel or hydrogen furnaces.
These solutions aim to support Sefpro customers' transition to low-carbon glass manufacturing.
In parallel with the implementation of the furnace, several projects are underway to increase the use of secondary raw materials, to avoid the depletion of natural resources.
This project is supported by several French organisations such as ADEME and Territoire d'Industrie - France Relance.
