According to the news report, the St Helens Glass Futures project has successfully conducted a significant industrial trial aimed at identifying and demonstrating a range of economically viable low-cost bioderived fuels suitable for various industrial glass and ceramics sites, featuring furnaces of different designs and scales.
The £54 million Glass Futures Global Centre of Excellence, which launched in June last year, focuses on research and development initiatives supported by industry and government to decarbonize the glass and foundation industries.
Previous work by Glass Futures showcased the potential of several biofuels for use in glass furnaces, revealing that these fuels emit approximately 80% less Scope 1 CO2 compared to traditional natural gas. However, these alternatives were typically 2-3 times more expensive than natural gas, making them less economically attractive.
The initial trial, part of a five-trial series, commenced successfully at Pilkington UK’s Greengate facility in St Helens, supported by government funding. This project aims not only to enhance understanding of these fuels, their availability, and potential CO2 reductions but also to evaluate their compatibility with Carbon Capture Utilisation & Storage (CCUS) technologies, led by C-Capture, which could help mitigate CO2 emissions from flue gases.
Currently, natural gas predominates as the fuel for glass furnaces and ceramics kilns due to its availability. While the glass sector is exploring new technologies for decarbonization, it remains critical to identify viable low-carbon alternatives.
In March, trials conducted at Glass Futures’ combustion test bed provided insights into the combustion properties of biofuel oil and other alternatives, building confidence to advance a selection of these fuels for trials on commercial glass furnaces and ceramics kilns.
Habib Khosroshahi, project team manager and programme lead for Industrial Fuel Switching, remarked, “Having demonstrated the capabilities of these biofuels at our facility earlier this year, we are eager to progress to industrial-scale trials. Collaborating with our members will allow us to test their suitability for commercial use and move towards a lower-carbon future for the glass and foundation industries.”
The initiative brings together key players from both the glass and ceramics sectors, including major manufacturers such as Ardagh Glass Packaging, Encirc, Pilkington’s parent NSG Group, and O-I, alongside the UK’s leading manufacturer of shaped refractories, DSF Refractories & Minerals.
Caio Mendonça, R&D Senior Decarbonisation Technologist at Pilkington UK, stated, “This groundbreaking trial is a significant step towards achieving net zero and underscores our commitment to sustainable innovation in the glass industry. By testing biofuels at an industrial scale, we are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and showcasing the potential of cleaner, low-carbon alternatives to natural gas.”
He added, “This project not only aims to reduce our own carbon footprint but also to facilitate the entire industry’s transition towards more environmentally friendly practices.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, emphasized, “Glass Futures plays a vital role in our mission to decarbonize the Liverpool City Region. This initiative seeks to transform the global glass industry while creating new jobs and developing essential skills for the industries of the future.”
