FEVE report features European decarbonisation projects

Decarbonisation was one of the three Hot Topics at glasstec 2024 and also remains a key issue for the entire glass sector after the trade fair. FEVE’s report “One Destination, Multiple Pathways: How the European Container Glass Industry is Decarbonising Glassmaking” impressively illustrates how container glass manufacturers are developing and trialling new technologies to improve their CO2-balance.

The European glass industry faces the challenge of reducing its CO2-emissions to become climate-neutral by 2050.

In late 2024 the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) published a report on Decarbonisation in the container glass industry. In the report the federation flagged up how glass manufacturers in Europe want to achieve decarbonisation. The pathways are not only about a transition to renewable energies in production but also about recycling, more lightweight glass designs and more sustainable logistics solutions.

Glass melting units account for the lion’s share of emissions. On a positive note there are already various reduction technologies available today:

• Electrical melting furnaces: can dramatically reduce CO2 emissions but are currently only suitable for smaller outputs. Application sectors include liquors/spirits, fragrances, pharmaceuticals as well as special packaging for food and beverage.
• Hybrid furnaces: combine electricity from renewables with gas or hydrogen and thereby replace up to 80% of fossil fuels.
• Hydrogen: is being tested in pilot projects but poses a challenge due to availability and costs.
• Biofuels & biogas: can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90% and are already being deployed in initial projects.

With all versions and options the industry emphasises that an interplay between industry and politics is indispensable for sustainable success.

The use of more recycling material is also a key factor for reducing emissions: normally 80% of the emissions are generated by the natural gas incinerated to melt the glass. The remaining 20% are emitted because certain raw materials chemically decompose when heated and emit CO2 in the process. If these raw materials are replaced by more recycled glass these emissions can be reduced markedly.

To increase the share of recycled glass the collection and sorting of waste glass must be optimised and investment in recycling plants is needed to increase the percentage of recycled glass in production.

Another point is more sustainable design of glass packaging: making glass bottles and containers ever lighter to bring down the emissions related to transport and material usage. Add to this, the use of alternative raw materials and the development of new standards for recyclable glass packaging.

This also includes the shifting of cargo to rail and waterways transport as well as the use of alternative drives for transport vehicles and circularity concepts for transport packaging, e.g. recycled pallet films.

Alongside all the efforts and projects undertaken to achieve decarbonisation in the glass industry, the report also shows just how important the implementation of specific general conditions is for success. These include: access to affordable, renewable energy, the need for political incentives and investment programmes for climate-neutral technologies and cooperation along the complete value chain, from the producer to retailers and consumers.