Flat Glass Industry Set to Decarbonize with Saint-Gobain and AGC Collaboration

Flat Glass Industry Set to Decarbonize with Saint-Gobain and AGC Collaboration

(IN BRIEF) Leading sustainable flat glass manufacturers AGC and Saint-Gobain have announced a collaboration to design a pilot flat glass line aimed at significantly reducing direct CO2 emissions. The project involves refurbishing AGC’s patterned glass production line in Barevka, Czech Republic into a high-performance, state-of-the-art line that will be 50% electrified and 50% fired using a combination of oxygen and gas. This represents a major technical advancement compared to traditional flat glass furnaces fired by natural gas. The line will be a major contribution to both companies’ efforts towards carbon neutrality and the decarbonization of the flat glass industry. The new technology is expected to be operational by the second half of 2024 and will pave the way for the conversion of industrial flat glass lines to be powered mainly by low-carbon electricity, with greatly reduced carbon emissions.

(PRESS RELEASE) COURBEVOIE, 6-Feb-2023 — /EuropaWire/ —  Saint-Gobain (EPA: SGO), a French multinational producer of construction, high-performance, and other materials, is proud to announce its collaboration with AGC on the development of a revolutionary flat glass production line. The pilot project aims to significantly reduce direct CO2 emissions and pave the way for the decarbonization of the flat glass industry.

As part of the collaboration, AGC’s patterned glass production line in Barevka, Czech Republic, will be refurbished into a state-of-the-art, high-performing line that targets to be 50% electrified and 50% fired by a combination of oxygen and gas, marking a technical breakthrough compared to current flat glass furnaces fired by natural gas.

At Saint-Gobain, we understand the critical role that flat glass plays in the built environment, and we are committed to leading the way in sustainable solutions. This collaboration with AGC will allow us to contribute to both companies’ journeys towards carbon neutrality and make a significant impact on the flat glass industry as a whole.

The new technology will allow industrial flat glass lines to be powered mainly by low-carbon electricity, making it a more efficient solution with significantly reduced carbon emissions. This is expected to benefit our customers and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future.

We are excited about this development and look forward to the successful implementation of the new technology on the patterned glass line by the second half of 2024. With this partnership, Saint-Gobain continues to lead the way in driving sustainability in the flat glass industry and shaping a better future for all.

Davide Cappellino, President Architectural Glass Europe & Americas of AGC: “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. The breakthrough design will be done jointly with Saint-Gobain, combining the best technology knowledge of both companies.”

Joana Arreguy, Industrial Director Glass, Saint-Gobain: “We at Saint-Gobain believe strongly in
innovation through collaboration. That’s why we are delighted to co-develop with AGC a new most advanced technology for flat glass production in the world. This project is in line with Saint-Gobain’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. This reduction in direct CO2 emissions will benefit our customers who look more and more for low carbon products to be integrated in their solutions. It also comes a few months after Saint-Gobain made two world firsts: a zero carbon production of flat glass last May and the recent launch of ORAÉ®, the world’s first low carbon glass.”

About AGC Inc.

AGC Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo) is the parent company of the AGC Group, a world-leading glass solution provider and supplier of building, automotive and display glass, chemicals, ceramics and other hightech materials and components, including CDMO services for active pharmaceutical ingredients. Building on more than a century of technical innovation, the AGC Group has developed a wide range of cutting-edge products. The Group employs some 56,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales of around 1.7 trillion Japanese yen (approx. US$ 12.3bn) through its operations in more than 30 countries and regions. The Group’s Vision is called “Look Beyond”, putting the “Your Dreams, Our Challenge” philosophy into practice ensuring that AGC’s materials and solutions make people’s lives better around the world every day.
More information on https://www.agc.com
Contact: glass.communications@agc.com

ABOUT SAINT-GOBAIN

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€44.2 billion in sales in 2021
166,000 employees, locations in 76 countries
Committed to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050

For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com

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SOURCE: Saint-Gobain