Sorg Group has marked an important milestone, celebrating one year of successful operation of the CLEAN Melter® at CRISAL, Portugal’s distinguished glassware producer based in Marinha Grande. The installation replaced CRISAL’s former regenerative F1 Endport furnace and was made possible with support from the national Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), under the Ecocerâmica e Cristalaria de Portugal (ECP) Agenda, aimed at improving energy transition and industrial innovation in the Portuguese ceramics and crystal sector.

CRISAL, now part of the globally recognised Leerdam Crisal Group (LCGlass), stands as the only Portuguese manufacturer of its kind and has long been associated with the country’s glassmaking heritage. The adoption of SORG’s CLEAN Melter® technology therefore marks not just a technical upgrade, but a broader strategic investment in cleaner manufacturing and enhanced furnace performance.

The CLEAN Melter® is an oxi-hybrid melter engineered to operate with an electrical energy share of up to 80%, with the remaining input provided by gas. Built with long-term sustainability in mind, the furnace is also equipped for future hydrogen heating integration, ensuring that CRISAL remains aligned with emerging decarbonisation pathways across the industry. With an approximate melting surface of 55 m², the system already contributes significantly to reducing CO₂ emissions as part of LCGlass’ corporate sustainability targets.

SORG delivered the full furnace design and equipment, including both electrical and fossil heating systems, alongside the SCADA-based control platform. The project also included a complete conditioning setup featuring an STW®-type distribution channel and five STF® forehearths to ensure optimal glass flow and temperature stability.

The dismantling of the former furnace, followed by construction, heat-up and filling of the new CLEAN Melter®, was completed by SKS, a member of the SORG Group. Reflecting on the past year of collaboration, SORG extended its appreciation to CRISAL and LCGlass for their partnership and shared commitment to advancing sustainable glass production.