The Group vidrala has successfully completed one of the plants of its British division Encirc a trial that has shown that it is possible to produce bottles made 100% from recycled glass, using low-emission energy thanks to the use of biofuels. It is a research initiative led by the Glass Futures research and technology organization, which works to reduce the carbon footprint of the entire industry globally.
The first results of this pioneering project lay the foundations for manufacturing more sustainable bottles, within the framework of the sector's commitment to moving away from fossil fuels in favor of low-emission alternatives. Made from residual organic materials, biofuels They are a source of renewable energy, much more sustainable, which reduces the carbon footprint of each bottle by up to 90%. To this must be added that only recycled glass was used as raw material for the production of new bottles, further minimizing the impact.
Vidrala expects to obtain more results from this trial in the coming weeks, carried out at the plant located in Derrylin (Northern Ireland) of its Encirc division. The initiative is part of the Energy Innovation Program of the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Within this program, Glass futures, of which Vidrala is a part, has allocated 7,1 million pounds (8,1 million euros) to investigate the most effective way to promote the transition of the glass industry to the use of low-emission fuels
Fiacre O'DonnellVidrala's Director of Sustainability, commented: «The results that we are seeing in this trial with biofuels are truly extraordinary and allow us to envision a promising and sustainable future for our industry. We are also conducting research to develop the use of hydrogen and make improvements to electrical fusion processes to finish discovering the future of glass production. We are producing these ultra-low CO2 packaging for some of the most recognized brands in the beverage industry, reflecting how united we are in this mission to achieve total sustainability. Together with Glass Futures, we are leading the development of a glass bottle with zero emissions, which means that it will not have any negative impact on the environment throughout its life cycle. "
Adrian CurryEncirc Managing Director added: “This is a milestone for glass. With this trial we have set the standards globally and now the glass industry must work to achieve what we have shown to be possible. We now know that glass can be the most sustainable material of all types of packaging and we must work together to make sure that is a reality. "
Aston fullerGeneral Manager, Glass Futures, said: “The trial is delivering fantastic results for the manufacturer, the end user and the consumer. Glass is a 100% recyclable material, and with the tests carried out by Encirc, we began to envision a new era marked by zero emission technologies, thanks to the use of alternative energies. These tests are the forerunners of the Glass Futures Global Center of Excellence which plans to conduct smaller scale trials under even more innovative approaches in the English town of St Helens. These initiatives will undoubtedly have a catalytic effect for the entire industry that will favor a more sustainable production, with zero emissions. In addition, the state-of-the-art facilities will allow its members and partners to work collaboratively to research, develop and demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative solutions. "
