Research trials into low carbon alternative fuels for glass furnaces are currently ongoing as part of Glass Futures’ Government funded Industrial Fuel Switching Phase 3 programme.

Glass Futures, a not-for-profit research and technology organisation was awarded a £7.1m contract in 2020 by The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s (BEIS) Energy Innovation Programme to research and deliver new energy sources to the glass industry.

This work involves test firing hydrogen and bio-fuels in a scale model glass furnace at temperatures in excess of 1500 °C, simulating real world firing conditions for alternative fuels. The project is also evaluating the associated technical, economic, and environmental aspects of fuels.

The project encompasses a wide range of industrial and academic partners and the final report for this work is due to be published by BEIS in summer 2022.

The UK glass sector employs 23,200 people, generates £3bn in revenue and contributes £1.6bn GVA to the UK economy. Whilst the sector has made progress by halving emissions in the last 50 years, there is a need to urgently accelerate efforts to increase energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions to meet the UK’s 2050 carbon commitments…Read more