AGC Inc. (Tokyo) and Saint-Gobain S.A. (Courbevoie, France) have inaugurated the new Volta production line at the AGC Barevka plant in Czechia. Volta is a breakthrough pilot project aiming to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and support the transition to sustainable flat-glass production. The pilot furnace uses an innovative glass-production technology that has never been used in the world before. This project represents an exceptionally large R&D investment for both companies, which was also financially supported by the European Union’s Innovation Fund.
The Volta R&D project, supported by the EU Innovation Fund, includes the reconstruction of the production line in Dubí. The line will be 50% electrified and 50% fired by a combination of oxygen and gas, allowing for a significant reduction in direct carbon emissions. The new technology also focuses on circularity as the Volta hybrid melting furnace will operate at a higher ratio of recycled materials, much higher than the industry standards.
The objective of the project is to design and build a novel hybrid glass furnace combining electric melting and oxy-gas combustion. The integrated design provides an alternative to the mostly natural-gas-fired flat-glass industry. The highly electrified furnace provides a more cost-efficient and scalable solution to abate the CO2 emissions of the flat glass industry compared to other clean alternatives, such as a full clean hydrogen combustion option. The new design will be piloted through a partnership with Saint-Gobain in AGC’s existing patterned glass furnace in Barevka (Czech Republic). The hybrid furnace is expected to reduce the pilot site’s scope 1 and 3 emissions by 75% compared to the reference scenario.
The Volta project, a cooperation between AGC and Saint-Gobain, combines the technical know-how and innovative approaches of both companies. The two companies share the ambition to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to a faster transition towards clean technologies.
For AGC Barevka, the investment not only enables the modernization of technology but also contributes to further employment and ensures the future production of patterned glass in Dubí (Czech Republic).
Yoshinori Hirai, President & CEO of AGC: “The new hybrid line for the production of patterned glass in Dubí will not only significantly reduce CO₂ emissions but will also increase the energy efficiency of our production. The Volta Project is a major step on our journey towards carbon neutrality and demonstrates our commitment to innovation and sustainability.”