AGC Breakthrough in Glass Production with Hydrogen Fuel
In a historic achievement, AGC, a global leader in glass, chemicals, and cutting-edge materials, has successfully demonstrated glass production powered by hydrogen. This groundbreaking test marks AGC’s inaugural venture into utilizing hydrogen in an active production furnace, conducted at the esteemed Kansai plant, Takasago factory, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
Technological Triumph with Air Liquide’s Support
With the invaluable support of Air Liquide Japan G.K., AGC seamlessly integrated hydrogen combustion burners into an existing combustion process, replacing natural gas with hydrogen. The test meticulously examined critical aspects such as glass quality, impact on furnace materials, flame temperature, furnace temperature, and nitrogen oxide emissions control. Impressively, the nitrogen oxide concentration in the emitted gas remained consistent with 100 percent natural gas, ensuring both environmental responsibility and optimal furnace performance.
Striding Towards a Sustainable Future
AGC’s ambitions soar higher; scaling up tests for the hydrogen combustion burner’s capacity stands as the next step. The company is diligently exploring the deployment of hydrogen combustion technology across its global facilities, underlining its commitment to environmentally conscious practices.
A Pinnacle of Sustainability
This milestone follows AGC’s previous successful test with ammonia as fuel earlier in 2023, aligning with the company’s sustainability agenda. AGC is steadfast in its pursuit of net-zero carbon emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) by 2050, a testament to its enduring dedication to pioneering sustainable practices. 
Stay tuned for more updates as AGC continues to shape the future of glass production through innovative, eco-friendly methods.
Source: AGC with additional information added by GlassBalkan
