Shaping a Greener Future: Navigating the Path to Low Carbon Glass

The global glass industry is entering a new age of green manufacturing, in which it needs to bring its total carbon emissions down to zero during the next two furnace campaigns.

Consequently, that means stepping away from fossil fuels towards alternative, sustainable energy sources - most likely electrical energy, hydrogen, biofuels, or a combination of these.

The wider industry and ecosystem also need to find ways to increase their overall recycling rates through increased adoption and suitable design, and to find partners that produce CO₂ emissions-free raw materials.

This all represents a complex change, not only from a technological point of view but also from a commercial and change management aspect.

There are many complications to overcome during melting and forming processes when recycling increasing percentages.

The bottom line is to keep earning money during these changes to finance the technological changes needed to secure business, which requires managing both CapEx and OpEx spend.

In the meantime, a new generation of workers is entering the industry, replacing the experienced workforce.

The technological shift that needs to be introduced in this new era of carbon-free glassmaking will have a much bigger impact on the industry than the introduction of the Pilkington or NNPB processes in the past. Managing this shift will be needed to maintain a license to operate.

By taking active steps forward, the amount of electrical power required for glass manufacturing will increase exponentially.

Getting the balance between sustainability and profitability right requires specific knowledge and multidisciplinary skill sets that are typically not available from traditional furnace hardware and process equipment suppliers.

Working with Schneider Electric as a trusted partner to harness digital and electrical technology and interlock those new technologies “from grid to glass” will help manufacturers and (P)OEMs contribute to the low-carbon economy and maintain their client base and social license to operate.

Want to learn more? Read our Industry Perspectives paper to learn how to take active steps forward.