Hrastnik1860, a member of the Vaider Group, is setting a new benchmark for sustainable industrial practices with the launch of its groundbreaking BEAR project.
This initiative centers around a hybrid end-fired regenerative furnace, a technological advancement poised to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of glass production while maintaining exceptional product quality.
The core of the BEAR project is a revolutionary hybrid furnace capable of utilizing up to 40% electricity for its heat supply – a substantial leap from the industry standard of 5-10%. This innovative approach drastically reduces reliance on natural gas, achieving a 50% reduction in natural gas consumption for the melting process compared to Best Available Technologies. This translates to a projected avoidance of over 100,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions over the next decade – an environmental impact equivalent to offsetting the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 20,000 households in the Zasavje region of Slovenia.
This achievement is particularly significant given the BEAR project’s status as the first and only initiative in Slovenia to receive co-funding from the EU Innovation Fund, underscoring the project’s innovative nature and its contribution to the European Green Deal. The €3,730,000 project, with 60% financed by the EU Innovation Fund, demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable industrial transformation.
Further enhancing its sustainability profile, the hybrid furnace will be integrated into a hybrid energy storage system, working in conjunction with locally available photovoltaic power plants. This collaboration, part of the Horizon Europe i-STENTORE project, further strengthens the project’s commitment to renewable energy integration and aligns production with the availability of sustainable energy sources. This proactive approach ensures adaptability to the evolving demands of a sustainable energy future.
Hrastnik1860’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the BEAR project. Over the past three years, the company has expanded its own photovoltaic capacity by 1.3 MWp and transitioned entirely to 100% clean electricity sourcing. Looking ahead, Hrastnik1860 plans to further increase its reliance on locally sourced renewable energy and actively encourages the development of energy communities to foster energy independence and resilience. The company clearly positions clean glass melting as a central pillar of its broader sustainability strategy, showcasing its leadership in the decarbonization of the European glass and energy-intensive industries.
Source: Hrastnik1860 with additional information added by GlassBalkan
