GMIC’s Pioneering Project Awarded $3 Million for Advanced Electric Melting Research in Glass Manufacturing to Propel Decarbonization Efforts.
In a significant stride toward decarbonizing America’s industrial sector, the Glass Manufacturing Industry Council (GMIC) proudly announces its selection by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a $3 million funding initiative. The grant is specifically earmarked for groundbreaking research in advanced electric melting within the glass manufacturing domain, with the overarching goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing the nation toward a net-zero economy.
Out of a pool of 49 selected projects, collectively securing $171 million in federal funding, GMIC’s initiative stands out as a pivotal step in acknowledging the glass industry’s critical role in industrial decarbonization. Marie Kistler, GMIC President and Market Manager in Air Products’ Americas Strategic Marketing and Development organization, expressed optimism, stating, “The submission and selection of the GMIC-led application for DOE funding is a great step forward for the industry.”
Collaborating on this transformative project are esteemed partners, including the Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL) in Richland, Washington; RoMan Manufacturing in Wyoming, Michigan; Toledo Engineering Company (TECO), and CelSian, both located in Toledo, Ohio. The collaboration extends GMIC’s reach and expertise, ensuring a holistic approach to the challenges faced in the glass manufacturing sector.
Reflecting the historical significance of glass production in Northwest Ohio, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) celebrated the federal award’s return to the Glass City. She remarked, “This partnership between the Glass Manufacturing Industry Council and its partners and the Department of Energy is a major step forward for glass production that moves us toward further decarbonization and a sustainable future.”
The project team, bringing together proficiency in glass manufacturing, electric melting, lab-scale experimentation, computer modeling, and engineering solutions, aims to address challenges hindering the widespread adoption of electric melting in high-volume applications. Scott Cooper, Technical Director USA of CelSian and principal investigator on the project, emphasized, “Our project aims to address these challenges, advance electric melting technology for sustainable glass production, and provide viable options for the glass industry’s journey toward a lower-carbon future.”
Anticipated to span three years, the project’s results will be disseminated through publications, community outreach efforts, and presentation at the annual Glass Problems Conference, organized by GMIC.
For more details about the project partners, please visit their respective websites.
Source: gmic.org with additional information added by GlassBalkan
