Saint-Gobain (Courbevoie, France) announced what is said to be the world’s first production of zero-carbon flat glass. This technological feat was achieved by using 100% recycled glass (cullet) and 100% green energy, produced from biogas and decarbonized electricity. It was implemented for one week in Saint-Gobain’s flat glass manufacturing plant in Aniche, northern France. By mobilizing the network of partners developed by Saint-Gobain, the focus was placed on circularity, with the use of 100% cullet from end-of-life glass from renovation or demolition sites and from production offcuts. The Group’s industrial and research teams succeeded in adjusting all of the furnace’s technical parameters to this dual challenge of operating with 100% recycled material and 100% biogas, while ensuring the right optical quality of the glass. This achievement is a demonstration of Saint-Gobain’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. It complements the Group’s investment announced last year to build the world’s first carbon-neutral plasterboard plant in Norway.
Saint-Gobain pilots carbon-neutral flat-glass production
| By Mary Bailey