In the UK, O-I Glass, Inc. has recently successfully completed a trial in its plant in Harlow, UK, using 100% biofuel to replace natural gas in the furnace for the glass-making process. This achievement is part of a larger initiative led by Glass Futures, a UK-based glass R&D organization, and part of the UK government’s “Net Zero Innovation Portfolio” program, aimed at exploring sustainable fuel options for the industry in the UK.
Key Highlights:
· Significant Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions: By combining biofuel with advanced technologies such as cullet pre-heating, 88% cullet usage throughout the entire trial period, and an oxy-fuel furnace, the Harlow plant achieved a significant reduction in the CO2 footprint for the amber bottles produced.
· Technical Viability: The trial at O-I’s Harlow plant has demonstrated the potential for using biofuel on a large scale. This successful trial indicates that O-I could implement this solution when biofuels become available in sufficient quantities and at a feasible cost for full-scale production.
