February 6, 2023
AGC and Saint-Gobain Partner for the Decarbonization
of Flat Glass Manufacturing
AGC and Saint-Gobain, worldwide flat glass manufacturers leading in sustainability, announce that they are collaborating on the design of a pilot breakthrough flat glass line that is expected to reduce very significantly its direct CO2 emissions.
As part of this R&D project, AGC's patterned glass production line in Barevka, Czech Republic, will be entirely refurbished into a high performing & state-of-the-art line that targets to be 50% electrified and 50% fired by a combination of oxygen and gas. This is a technical breakthrough compared to current technology used in flat glass furnaces fired by natural gas. It will be the most sustainable flat glass line design contributing to both companies' paths towards carbon neutrality and to the necessary acceleration of the flat glass industry decarbonization.
This development will pave the way to the conversion of industrial flat glass lines in such a way that it can be powered mainly by low carbon electricity, more efficient than any gas solution, with significantly reduced carbon emissions for the customers' benefit. The new technology is expected to be implemented on the patterned glass line for operational success by the 2nd half of 2024.
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."
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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 high-tech 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
More information on https://www.saint-gobain.com
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