O-I Glass pioneers biofuel trial to advance sustainable glassmaking in UK

UK – American glass manufacturer O-I Glass has taken a major step toward sustainable glass production by successfully completing a biofuel trial at its Harlow, UK facility.

The initiative, part of a broader industry push for cleaner energy, aimed to replace natural gas with biofuels while integrating advanced technologies such as cullet preheating to maximize efficiency.

According to O-I Glass, the trial resulted in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reinforcing the potential of biofuels as a viable alternative energy source for glass manufacturing.

The project aligns with the UK government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, which seeks to develop sustainable fuel solutions for energy-intensive industries.

The trial was also supported by Glass Futures, a UK-based research and development organization dedicated to accelerating sustainability in glassmaking.

While the results indicate that large-scale biofuel adoption is technically feasible, O-I Glass emphasized that full implementation at Harlow will depend on the availability and cost-effectiveness of biofuels in the long run. 

O-I’s chief administrative and sustainability officer, Randy Burns, highlighted the company’s dedication to decarbonizing glass production, “Our participation in this programme is a testament to our unwavering commitment to driving positive change in the industry.

“The successful completion of the trial in Harlow has proven the feasibility of alternative fuels and has the potential to open up exciting new opportunities. Glass is already recognized as an ideal sustainable packaging material, and our goal is to integrate innovative approaches with efficient processes to further reduce our environmental footprint.

“By doing so, we aim to contribute to a more sustainable and economically viable future for the entire industry.”

Advancing decarbonization in Germany 

In a parallel effort, O-I Glass is set to implement another groundbreaking sustainability measure at its Holzminden, Germany facility.

The company announced plans to install Linde’s proprietary OPTIMELT thermochemical regenerator (TCR) technology, a system designed to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions.

The OPTIMELT TCR recovers waste heat from glass furnace flue gases, using it to preheat and reform natural gas.

This process is expected to reduce fuel consumption by approximately 30% compared to conventional furnaces while significantly cutting scope 1 carbon emissions.

With these initiatives, O-I Glass continues to position itself as a leader in sustainable glass production, setting new benchmarks for energy efficiency and low-carbon innovation in the industry.

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