Stoelzle Glass Group, a leading packaging glass manufacturer has announced the publication of its third Sustainability Report. The report highlights the company’s commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability practices focussing on energy, resource efficiency and employees.
- Stoelzle’s decarbonisation targets have been officially accepted by SBTi
- Minus 50 percent absolute scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions by 2030; minus 15 percent absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 2030
- Decarbonisation strategy focuses on energy efficiency, new technologies and renewable energy
The following milestones have been achieved so far:
- Process and Energy Data Management System: The implementation of the Process and Energy Data Management System at all Stoelzle sites has already led to significant energy savings between 3 percent and 5 percent, by improving the energy efficiency at the sites. The system tracks and assesses changes in energy consumption, optimising cooling curve settings in the lehrs, detecting leaks and defective machines, and monitoring water consumption.
- Batch Preheater: The Company’s commitment to energy efficiency is demonstrated by the implementation of a batch preheater at its Austrian production site. This technology utilizes waste heat from the exhaust to preheat and dry the raw material mixture, reducing furnace energy consumption by over 8 percent and resulting in annual energy savings of 4,000 MWh. The remaining waste heat is fed into the local district heating network, providing heat to approximately 1,800 households.
- Organic Rankine Cycle: By the end of 2023, Stoelzle will produce approximately 7 percent of the Stoelzle Czestochowa plant’s total electricity consumption from waste heat. The waste heat is used for steam production, which is then transformed into electricity by using a turbine and generator (in a so called Organic Rankine Cycle).
- Electric Furnace and Feeder: Stoelzle is actively investing in research to replace gas with electricity in its production processes. It is part of the international research consortium International Partners in Glass Research (IPGR) focused on developing a “glass furnace of the future” that utilises green hydrogen and electricity for maximum energy efficiency. By 2024, Stoelzle plans to have a fully electric feeder in operation at its Austrian amber glass furnace, setting an example for the European glass industry.
The complete Sustainability Report can be downloaded here.