The visit marked a significant milestone for the company, as it received a funding notice of €14.6 million (for “Glass4FutureInvest“) and €375,000 (for “Glass4FutureEE“) from the federal government’s “Decarbonization of Industry” program.

This funding will enable Heinz-Glas to build a new production facility and install an innovative, all-electric glass melting tank. This technology is projected to save up to 6,250 tonnes of CO2 annually, playing a crucial role in the decarbonization of the glass industry.

Heinz-Glas’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond reducing emissions. The company has developed a flexible, all-electric melting tank, overcoming previous technical limitations and allowing for a more adaptable production process. The investment project also includes the modernization of existing systems at the Piesau, Thuringia site, further enhancing their efficiency and environmental footprint.

The innovative tank technology is designed to respond to fluctuating production demands. The use of recycled glass shards will be variable, depending on the color of glass being produced, promoting a circular economy within the glass industry.

“We are investing around €50-60 million to convert our oldest site, founded in 1622, from a gas-fired tank to two electric tanks,” explained Carletta Heinz, CEO & owner of the HEINZ-GLAS Group. “This will create the most modern and environmentally friendly glassworks in the world. The federal government’s funding plays a vital role in realizing our project and driving the transformation forward with full force.”

Heinz emphasized the crucial role of affordable and reliable green energy in achieving their sustainability goals. “This biggest step in the targeted CO2 reduction in our group of companies is only possible if we can rely on affordable, green energy that is available 24/7,” she stated. “I am proud of this project, which connects our roots with a sustainable future.”

This project signifies Heinz-Glas’ commitment to a future where environmental responsibility and innovation go hand-in-hand. Their efforts to decarbonize their operations, while simultaneously improving efficiency and flexibility, serve as a model for the glass industry and beyond.

Source:Heinz-Glas with additional information added by GlassBalkan

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Glass for Europe, a leading association in the flat glass sector, has actively contributed to the Stakeholder Request Mechanism on the EU Taxonomy initiated by the Platform on Sustainable Finance and the European Commission. Launched on December 15, the EU taxonomy serves as a classification system, offering clarity on environmentally sustainable activities and conditions. While pleased with the inclusion of windows as part of “energy efficiency equipment for buildings,” Glass for Europe expresses regret over the establishment of a single U-value of 1.0 W/m2K for the entire EU. This uniform U-value fails to consider varying climatic conditions, essential for determining the most carbon-efficient windows for different regions.

In its contribution, Glass for Europe emphasizes the need to adapt the U-value based on the geographic zones outlined by the European Commission. These zones include the Mediterranean, Oceanic, Continental, and Nordic regions. The proposal suggests different U-values for each region: 1.4 W/m2K for Mediterranean and Oceanic, 1.0 W/m2K for Continental, and 0.9 W/m2K for Nordic. Such adjustments would enable manufacturers to produce high-energy performance products tailored to specific local markets. Additionally, the paper stresses the significance of the g-value (solar energy transmittance) in evaluating window performance, considering factors like solar control and heat reduction. These refinements align with the EU taxonomy’s goals, supporting the EU Renovation Wave strategy and the decarbonization of the EU building stock.

Submitted requests are set to undergo processing by the Platform’s Technical Working Group in the coming months.

Source: Glass for Europe with additional information added by GlassBalkan

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