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by a combination of oxygen and gas, presents a absolute breakthrough. Furthermore, the sustainability model of the project will be strengthened by substituting virgin raw materials with up to 100 percent recycled glass. Stijn sheds some more light on the initiative:“ Faced with the UN and EU climate targets for the years to come, the energy transition away from fossil fuels and the high costs of both energy( gas) and EU ETS( emissions trading system) allowances, there was a common interest for both companies to evaluate the technological options how to decarbonize their respective activities in flat glass production. A fundamental new design of the glass melting process was required to make a real breakthrough in the reduction of the primary emissions from our float glass furnaces.”
As part of this project, AGC’ s Barevka patterned glass production line in the Czech Republic, was refurbished into a high performing and state-of-the-art line. The new furnace is a proof-of-concept design to demonstrate that the technology can be applied to large float glass furnaces. This R & D project received funding by the Innovation Fund of the European Union.
After extensive studies, procurement processes, construction works, and heating up the furnace, it became fully operational in February 2025. The companies celebrated this important milestone with a huge event, with representatives of the Czech Republic, European Union representatives and executives of both companies present. Production is now on course to produce up to the planned 90 tons a day. The technology is now undergoing a three-year trial period, which is to test the furnace’ s capacity to its limits and identify and improve any issues that could occur along the way before it could be implemented to other furnaces.
“ There is no better solution imaginable than when two major players with a long history in technology and process
development join forces to develop a new technology that can change the way we produce glass for the next decades,” reflects Stijn. He concludes by saying:“ As many of our factories celebrate their 100-year anniversaries, over a century of glassmaking know-how and local craftsmanship are passed on to the next generation. Innovation has been key to the company’ s success over its history. Now we live in different times, but glass is, and will be, still be an essential material in the future. We believe as a strong company we have the courage, expertise and the solutions to contribute and help advance energy efficient renovation of buildings, affordability of construction materials, new materials for mobility and, ultimately, better living conditions for people.” ■
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