Group vidrala, a leading company in the manufacture of glass containers, has announced its association with Diageo, a world leader in premium alcoholic beverages, to create the world's first Net Zero glass bottles, with the aim of fulfilling it by 2030.
For this project, which the stained glass window will carry out through its British division encirc, will work on the construction of a new furnace at its Elton plant, located in the county of Cheshire in England, which will come into operation in 2027 and will reduce CO emissions2 of the manufacturing process by 90%, thanks to the use of green energy and low-carbon hydrogen. In addition, a carbon capture technology will be used to absorb CO emissions2 remaining by 2030.
The oven that Vidrala will build is expected to produce more than 200 million bottles of Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Gordon's and Tanqueray by 2030. It should be noted that the hydrogen used to power the new furnace will come from Vertex Hydrogen, a partner in the government-backed HyNet North West cluster and the UK's leading industrial decarbonisation project.
This new project began to be envisioned in 2021, when Encirc, in collaboration with its glass industry partners Glass Futures, piloted one of its furnaces at its Northern Ireland plant on sustainable biofuels, using 100% recycled glass to create the most sustainable bottles ever produced. The bottles that were produced had up to 90% less carbon footprint than a standard glass bottle.
Research and technology organization Glass Futures, who has also played a key role in driving this announcement. plays a key role in supporting the decarbonisation of the glass industry. His role will be decisive when it comes to testing sustainable fuels in kilns and developing the future kiln technology needed to support Vidrala and the glass industry in general in their objectives.
Adrian Curry, CEO of Encirc, said: "This is an important step in our goal of producing net zero glass by 2030. With the support of the UK Government on this occasion, as well as such important partners, from Encirc and Diageo we believe that it will be possible to commission the first furnace of this type in early 2027. Glass is an incredible material, infinitely recyclable and chemically inert. It has existed since 3500 BC and has never been produced in this way. It is about protecting glass as a material by facing the challenge of carbon. The work we and Glass Futures do will be shared with the UK glass industry to ensure that glass remains the packaging of choice for many thousands of years to come.”
In the words of ewan andrew, President of Global Sourcing and Purchasing and Chief Sustainability Officer at Diageo: “We are very pleased to be involved in this world-leading announcement as part of our commitment to halve our Scope 3 carbon emissions by 2030. All sourcing options Renewable energy are important to us and we would like to see all countries and industry further accelerate the direct supply of green energy as the main option. Ultimately, we look forward to a world where people can enjoy their favorite beverages in zero-carbon glass bottles."
