In a landmark partnership aimed at revolutionizing the glass industry’s environmental footprint, Fives and Verescence have teamed up to introduce the world’s first hybrid oxy-gas glass furnace tailored specifically for cosmetics applications. This innovative project will take place at Verescence’s Mers-les-Bains facility in France and marks a bold step toward decarbonising glass production.
Revolutionizing Furnace Technology: Prium Eco-Flex
Central to the initiative is the installation of Fives’ cutting-edge Prium Eco-Flex hybrid furnace, capable of producing 150 tonnes of premium glass daily. By combining oxy-gas combustion with electrification, this furnace replaces up to 80% of fossil fuel consumption with electricity, drastically reducing carbon emissions without compromising glass quality, a critical factor in the luxury cosmetics sector.
Smart Energy Recovery for Enhanced Efficiency
Equipped with Fives’ proprietary Heat Recovery Area (HRA) system, the furnace recycles waste heat by preheating the batch in a lowered superstructure zone. This breakthrough heat recovery method boosts energy efficiency, setting a new industry standard for sustainable manufacturing practices.
Visionary Leadership for a Green Transition
Thomas Riou, CEO of Verescence, emphasized the project’s alignment with the company’s ambitious decarbonisation roadmap, highlighting major investments in electrifying furnaces and other production equipment. Meanwhile, Alexandre Brusset, Vice President – Glass at Fives, praised the hybrid furnace’s balance of flexibility, efficiency, and eco-friendliness, positioning it as a key enabler for glassmakers striving to meet stringent environmental targets. 
Expected to be operational next year, this pioneering furnace technology heralds a new era in glass production, one where sustainability and excellence coexist seamlessly.
Source: Verescence with additional information added by Glass Balkan
