AGC Inc (Headquarters: Tokyo) – a world-leading glass solution provider and Saint-Gobain – a worldwide leader in sustainable construction announced they will partner on the design of a pilot innovative flat-glass line production that is expected to reduce significantly its CO2 emissions.
According to the partnership with Saint-Gobain, the patterned glass production line of AGC in Barevka, Czech Republic will be entirely refurbished into a breakthrough and state-of-the-art line that will be 50% electrified and 50% fired by a combination of oxygen and gas. The process is expected to be implemented by the second half of 2024.
Relevant: First Net Zero Glass Bottles To Be Created Using Hydrogen
Usually, the flat glass furnaces are fired 100% by natural gas. The approach represents a technical breakthrough compared to current technology. It sets the beginning of the conversion of industrial flat glass lines to be powered mainly by low-carbon electricity, which is considered more efficient than any gas solution and with a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
“To contribute to a sustainable world, AGC is committed to developing products that promote sustainable development, and to reducing the environmental impact of its production processes. Following our continued progress in decarbonization, AGC launched its first low-carbon glass product range at the end of 2022. Now this hybrid design melter is another important milestone in our Net Zero Trajectory to become carbon neutral as a company by 2050,” said Davide Cappellino, President Architectural Glass Europe & Americas of AGC.
Both companies are generating billions of dollars in annual revenues and employ more than 200,000 people globally. The decarbonization of their manufacturing lines is a crucial part of decarbonizing the industry so new technologies and processes are needed more than ever now to get into the pipeline to drive forward sustainable development.
Relevant: Free webinar: Achieving Net Zero Carbon at Saint-Gobain
