FRANCE – O-I Glass has declared a €95 million (US$102.95m) investment in two of its French glass packaging production facilities.
The objective is to enhance sustainability, flexibility, and productivity at the Gironcourt-sur-Vraine and Reims operations, in accordance with its updated ESG roadmap and capital spending plan.
At Gironcourt-sur-Vraine, where the plant commemorated its 120th anniversary, €55 million (US$59.60m) will be employed in collaboration with a key customer to reconstruct a furnace and outfit it with innovative oxy-gas advanced technology.
This technology, already operational at the O-I plant in Vayres, France, employs a blend of gas and oxygen to heat the furnace, resulting in a reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by up to 18%.
Additionally, a production line at the plant will be renovated to enhance flexibility and capacity. The plant chiefly manufactures bottles for the beer market, with roughly 80% of its raw materials being scrap and locally recycled glass.
In Reims, O-I has concluded a €40 million (US$54.18m) investment for a substantial upgrade, encompassing the refurbishment of one of the plant’s two furnaces and a production line, along with the installation of new equipment.
This investment has led to an overall energy reduction of approximately 5%. The Reims plant, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023, stands as a model for O-I’s sustainability endeavors, with roughly 90% of its raw materials originating from scrap and locally recycled glass.
Since 2019, waste heat from glass packaging production has been harnessed for residential use in the local community.
Sustainability and efficiency are at the forefront, with the Gironcourt-sur-Vraine plant diminishing the number of trucks per week by roughly 250 through rail transport of bottles to customers.
Meanwhile, the Reims plant, situated amidst Champagne vineyards, dispatches champagne bottles to nearby clients via trucks fueled by grapeseed and fryer oil, leading to a 60% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to diesel fuel.
Walter Ferrer, managing director of O-I Glass for Southwest Europe, remarked: “These substantial investments align perfectly with O-I’s global strategy to fortify our dedication to sustainable development, boost the energy efficiency of our equipment, establish more resilient supply chains, and continuously enhance the working conditions of our teams.
“They also underscore our confidence in our French facilities and our unwavering commitment to serving our customers, our teams, and the planet.”
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