The project is centered on Fives’ Prium® E-Melt cold-top vertical melter, which will have a production capacity of 200 metric tonnes per day and will be capable of producing both flint and green glass. The electric melting technology is intended to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions compared with conventional glass-melting systems.

The investment supports VICAL’s strategy to reduce the environmental footprint of its operations while increasing glass packaging capacity for customers across Central America, the Caribbean, the United States and Canada. The VICESA facility currently produces more than 500 million glass containers annually.

A key factor in the project is Costa Rica’s electricity mix: according to VICAL, approximately 99% of the country’s electricity comes from renewable sources, creating favorable conditions for electric glass melting.

Beyond the furnace, Fives will supply the complete hot-end equipment, including a working-end and forehearth system.

The post VICAL and Fives to Build World’s Largest All-Electric Container Glass Furnace appeared first on GlassBalkan.

Take a look behind the scenes of MATPOL’s production.

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The updated Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) confirms that 4 mm Planiclear glass achieves a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 7.22 kgCO₂e per square metre. The new figure represents a reduction of more than 34% compared with the previous EPD, positioning Planiclear among the lowest embodied carbon standard float glass products currently manufactured in the UK.

According to Saint-Gobain Glass UK & Ireland, the improvement is not the result of a temporary trial, limited production campaign, or specific customer order. Instead, the lower-carbon performance reflects the company’s regular manufacturing process and applies to Planiclear supplied every day.

The reduction has been achieved through Saint-Gobain’s wider decarbonisation strategy, combining increased glass recycling, reduced dependence on virgin raw materials, improved energy efficiency, and greater use of renewable energy. These measures form part of the company’s Glass Forever circular economy approach, which aims to increase closed-loop recycling within the flat glass sector.

The Eggborough facility produces approximately 13 miles of flat glass every day, making the transition significant for the UK construction market. By lowering the carbon footprint of its standard float glass substrate, Saint-Gobain enables manufacturers, façade specialists, and construction companies to reduce embodied carbon without additional product costs or changes to performance.

The new EPDs are now available across all Planiclear thicknesses as well as Sapphire Blue glass. Saint-Gobain also confirmed that UK coated and laminated glass products will benefit from the lower-carbon substrate, with supporting EPDs expected later in 2026.

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The production line integrates the entire manufacturing process into one continuous automated workflow, from raw glass storage to finished product handling. Operations include automated cutting, break-out, edging, high-temperature screen printing, tempering, low-temperature screen printing, protective film application, automatic unloading and intelligent storage. More than 30 high-precision machines operate in coordination, eliminating production bottlenecks and ensuring consistent product quality throughout the process.

A key feature of the installation is NorthGlass’ independently customised Manufacturing Execution System (MES), which digitally manages the entire production line. The platform provides intelligent material scheduling, real-time production monitoring, centralised manufacturing control and complete product traceability. Core manufacturing stages operate without manual intervention, creating a fully unmanned production environment that improves efficiency, reduces labour dependency and enhances process reliability.

According to NorthGlass, the project has achieved Haier’s planned production capacity and quality objectives while demonstrating the company’s expertise in integrating advanced automation, digital manufacturing and customised engineering solutions.

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The project, carried out between January and May 2026, focused on upgrading critical equipment within the tin bath to improve production stability, process control and operational efficiency. A major achievement was the successful ribbon pull on 29 April 2026, confirming the successful commissioning of the modernized system and allowing production to resume on schedule.

As part of the modernization, HORN supplied and installed a comprehensive package of process equipment designed to optimize tin bath performance. The scope included 14 top rollers equipped with integrated camera systems for enhanced ribbon monitoring, a new pusher, a tweel upgrade for improved glass thickness control, an upgraded exit cooler and a new dross box hood to enhance process reliability. HORN also delivered a complete SCADA-based control system, integrating all newly installed equipment with Guardian Glass’ existing automation infrastructure to provide centralized monitoring, improved diagnostics and greater operational control.

Beyond automation, HORN carried out extensive refractory repair and replacement work throughout the tin bath. The refurbishment included bottom blocking as well as repairs to the tin bath roof using new refractory materials and replacement heating elements, ensuring long-term thermal stability and extending the operational life of the installation.

The post HORN Completes Tin Bath Modernization at Guardian Glass Corsicana appeared first on GlassBalkan.

For the new production line, Düzce Cam has selected Horn Glass Industries as the supplier of key hot-end technologies. The scope of supply includes the engineering and construction of the glass melting furnace, tin bath, annealing lehr, hot-end automation system, and protective gas station, forming the core process units of the float glass manufacturing operation.

The high-capacity furnace will be designed to support continuous production of architectural and industrial flat glass, while the tin bath and annealing lehr will ensure precise ribbon formation and controlled cooling to achieve the required optical quality and dimensional stability. The integrated automation system is expected to optimize process control, operational efficiency, and production consistency.

The post Düzce Cam Advances New 800 TPD Float Glass Project in Bilecik appeared first on GlassBalkan.

Forel’s flexible spacer technology offers significant advantages over traditional box spacer systems. It enables the efficient production of insulating glass units with a wide variety of shapes and configurations, including rectangular, curved, and complex geometries. This flexibility is particularly valuable for architects and designers seeking tailored glazing solutions for contemporary residential, commercial, and industrial projects.

The production lines are equipped with advanced automation features that streamline manufacturing processes and improve operational efficiency. Integrated quality control systems, including scanners, inspection stations, and supervision software, continuously monitor production in real time, reducing errors and ensuring compliance with strict industry standards. Remote diagnostics and automated maintenance support further minimize downtime and enhance equipment performance.

Forel’s modular approach allows manufacturers to configure production lines according to their specific needs. Available in High Tech, Essential, and High Speed versions, the systems can be adapted to different production volumes, factory layouts, and investment budgets. Additional features such as automatic reel changeover, multi-chamber glass processing, and gas-filling capabilities support the production of high-performance insulating glass units that contribute to improved building energy efficiency.

Beyond technology, Forel places strong emphasis on customer support. Dedicated training programs and comprehensive after-sales services help manufacturers maximize system performance and ensure a smooth transition toward greater automation.

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The name SPL-SCOOPA stands for Swivelling Charger Oscillating Pusher Automatic, reflecting the system’s key operating principles. Developed for both specialty glass and container glass production, the new charger is engineered to ensure a controlled and uniform distribution of batch material within the furnace doghouse, supporting stable melting conditions and optimized furnace performance.

The SPL-SCOOPA feeds a mixture of raw materials and cullet into the furnace through an automated charging process. Batch material is transferred from the furnace silo either directly or via a vibrating chute into the hopper of the oscillating feeder, although alternative feeding methods can also be integrated depending on plant requirements. An integrated level sensor continuously monitors the hopper and automatically interrupts the feed when preset limits are reached, ensuring consistent operation and preventing overfilling.

At the core of the system is an oscillating pusher that distributes the batch evenly across the glass surface inside the doghouse. The feeding rate can be precisely adjusted through a control system equipped with a frequency inverter, allowing operators to optimize charging patterns according to furnace conditions and production demands.

To ensure durability in high-temperature environments, all SPL-SCOOPA components exposed to furnace heat are water-cooled. This design enhances operational reliability while reducing thermal stress on critical equipment parts.

The market response to the new technology has been immediate. Ten SPL-SCOOPA units are currently in production, including six destined for customers in India, one for Saudi Arabia, one for Ukraine, and two for installations in Poland.

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The work will increase the capacity of the batch plant to 2,000tpd, becoming the largest tower batch plant in India.

Borosil Renewables is expanding the company’s low-iron solar glass production capacity with an additional furnace to meet rising global demand, driven by the growth in popularity of photovoltaic (PV) panels, flat-plate collectors and green building concepts.

EME is designing and supplying key equipment for the project, covering raw material reception, weighing, mixing and batch transportation.

The post EME Wins Major Contract for Borosil Renewables’ Solar Glass Batch Plant Expansion appeared first on GlassBalkan.

According to the company, all planning and engineering work for Line 2 has already been completed, enabling a streamlined transition from development into operational readiness. This positions Stewart Glass to accelerate its scaling strategy in response to rising demand within the North American solar energy sector.

The new production line will focus on high-volume manufacturing of crystalline solar front and back glass, designed specifically for photovoltaic applications. The facility is engineered to deliver consistent quality and performance standards required by utility-scale and commercial solar projects.

Line 2 is expected to have a production capacity of 250 tons per day. It will produce ultra-clear crystalline solar glass in thicknesses ranging from 2.0 mm to 3.2 mm. The product specification includes dual-layer anti-reflective coating technology and full tempering, ensuring enhanced durability, optical performance, and long-term field reliability.

The expansion reflects Stewart Glass’s broader objective of strengthening domestic solar supply chains and reducing reliance on imported photovoltaic components. By increasing local production capacity, the company aims to support ongoing investment in renewable energy infrastructure across the United States.

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