The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) has criticised a US government decision to abruptly terminate funding for multiple industrial decarbonisation projects.
The US-headquartered institute said the decision to cut glass funding while allowing projects from sectors such as steel and aluminium to continue creates a disparity
Scott DeFife, President of GPI, said: “Domestic glass manufacturers across the country are advancing energy-efficient technologies, reducing emissions, and working to try and keep jobs onshore.
“The Department’s decision to cut funding from our sector while continuing to support others creates a clear disparity that must be addressed if the Administration is serious about supporting balanced, domestic, long-term industrial progress.”
The Department’s termination notices cited narrow interpretations of compliance standards and programme alignment.
Glass manufacturing recipients were informed their projects did not “effectuate current priorities” and lacked full-scope emissions modeling — despite providing shovel-ready, technologically sound, and financially responsible decarbonisation strategies in support of the next generation of American manufacturing careers.
GPI points out that the impacted glass-focused projects in fact would increase operational efficiencies, reduce energy-source use, alongside connected plant emissions.
Glass manufacturing has been present in the United States for decades, with some plant sites started over a century ago.
The industry represents a fully domestic, vertically integrated supply chain.
From raw material extraction to recycling, production can and does occur entirely within the United States, supporting more than 13,000 jobs across the country.
North American labour and environmental standards are higher, and the American glass industry has been working to recapitalise its facilities while bringing on new technologies to maintain competitiveness.
“Glass industry jobs are held by hard-working American tradesmen and women — union workers, skilled technicians and innovators among them — showing up every day to make a domestic product that’s essential to our food, beverage, and pharmaceutical supply chains, non-toxic, an essential, endlessly recyclable package,” said DeFife.
Other Federal agencies have recognised the important role domestic glass plays to product supply chains, and to the pressure domestic suppliers are under from cheaper production from China.
GPI is calling on Department of Energy leadership to meet with industry stakeholders to ensure future opportunities reflect the full range of American manufacturing. Glass, like steel and aluminium, is essential and fundamental to US infrastructure, food security and consumer protection.
“We’re not asking for special treatment, we’re demanding fair treatment. Glass is an often overlooked American success story, and it’s unacceptable to see vetted projects that advance American manufacturing competitiveness cut,” said DeFife.
“The Department should lean into glass, not ignore it."
