Join Me (Pty) Ltd is a consultancy dealing with future scenarios for the African glass packaging industry. At glasstec 2024 Kathleen Hoogenhout gave a talk entitled “Decarbonisation of Glass Packaging in Africa”. In the interview she explains which course must now be charted – and why European rules and regulations damage rather than benefit African glass production.
In your talk you provided an outlook to 2050. What is the core message you would like to convey to the glass packaging industry?
Kathleen Hoogenhout: When countries importing glass products introduce stricter CO₂-reporting duties and climate targets, this can lead to undesired consequences: African glass factories, which often still fail to comply with these targets, lose export orders and have to shut down in a worst case scenario – before they ever had the chance to decarbonise. To free up capital for decarbonisation technologies regionally staggered criteria are needed. This, by the way, not only applies to the glass industry but also to many other sectors.
At the same time, the glass packaging industry should visibly step up its commitment in the circular economy: reusable glass systems must be strengthened and waste glass collection systems installed. In most African countries infrastructure of this kind scarcely exists as yet – although it could become a cornerstone for economic development on that continent.
The good news is that decarbonisation technologies already exist and are in practical use in industrialised countries. This means Africa can adopt proven solutions rather than reinventing the wheel. However, where power grids are weak or unreliable, simply switching to renewable electricity is not enough. Glass manufacturers should therefore review how they source energy and seriously consider generating their own power or partnering with renewable energy providers.
Your consultancy deals with future scenarios. Which two insecurities do you feel will have the biggest impact on whether the decarbonisation of glass packaging in Africa will progress fast or slow down?
Kathleen Hoogenhout: Two factors will make the key difference here: firstly, the expansion of power grid capacities because without sufficient infrastructure electrification will only remain an option in theory. Secondly, market willingness to bear the temporary, additional costs associated with a fair switchover to renewable energies.
After all, prices are likely to rise in the short term with the introduction of new technologies as well as the establishment of a circular economy before they stabilise and fall long term. This transition phase must be actively coordinated.
If you were to chart a concrete course for the coming months, what would a credible path to clearly more climate-friendly glass packaging in Africa by 2050 actually look like?
Kathleen Hoogenhout: In my opinion three focal points are key here: first, the industry should actively research alternative sources of energy and take part in joint government and industry schemes to expand power grids. Then partnerships with customers and suppliers must be formalised and circularity infrastructures driven jointly – with a clear shared view to systematically increasing material reuse.
And, finally, glass should be consistently re-positioned as a superior substrate for adherence to planetary boundaries. This can also mean lower volume and smaller melting units – but at premium prices that visibly honour sustainability.
