Via the proton exchange membrane (PEM), AGP-Europe supplies hydrogen to the energy mix in its glass furnace, with the target of eventually achieving a 20% hydrogen blend.
Since they initiated electrolyser testing in October (2024), the furnace has reportedly combusted 109,000m3 of hydrogen onsite, saving up to 70 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2).
“The testing phase using the hydrogen energy mix is progressing well, with no impact on the quality of the glass or the furnace,” explained Daniel Johansson, Project Manager at AGP-Europe.
“Our target is the replace 20% of the natural gas in the furnace with green hydrogen, which will reduce carbon emissions from our glass packaging produced in Limmared.”
Martin Petersson, AGP-Europe’s CEO, added, “Replacing a proportion of the natural gas with green hydrogen in the furnace represents a step change in the way we sustainably produce glass packaging.
“The future combination of hydrogen and other sustainable technologies, such as hybrid melting, will help Ardagh Group and our customers to achieve their emissions reduction targets, as well as advancing the decarbonisation of the glass industry.”
UK-based Ryze Hydrogen and Portugal’s Rega Energy have played a key role in driving decarbonisation efforts within the glass manufacturing industry.
Last month, Rega announced it would supply green hydrogen and oxygen to Leerdam Crisal Glass to decarbonise glassware production in Portugal.
Furthermore, Ryze signed a long-term deal to provide hydrogen to Guardian Glass in December 2023, to be used in the manufacturing of float glass – used in car and building windows and mirrors.
