Verallia, the world’s third-largest producer of glass containers, has entered a research partnership with Penn State University to advance LionGlass, an innovative glass family developed by university scientists. The collaboration aims to test and scale LionGlass for use in consumer packaging, offering a low-carbon alternative to conventional soda-lime glass.
According to Corinne Payen, Verallia’s Director of Glass Innovation, LionGlass melts at temperatures up to 400°C lower than traditional glass, significantly reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for carbon-based raw materials. This process can potentially halve the carbon footprint of glass manufacturing while removing direct CO₂ emissions from the formula.
The material also boasts up to 10 times greater crack resistance, allowing for lighter, more durable containers and reduced transport emissions. As part of its Net Zero 2040 strategy, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Verallia sees this partnership as a crucial step toward reimagining glass for a sustainable future and achieving long-term environmental goals.
Source: psu.edu with additional information added by Glass Balkan
