Brazil-based brewing company Ambev is to build a sustainable container glass plant in Carambei in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The plant, which will produce bottles for renowned brands such as Stella Artois, Beck’s and Spaten, is currently under construction. Additionally, it will supply Ambev breweries located across several states, including Paraná.
The premium glass melting technology provider HORN Glass Industries will equip the new plant with a technologically advanced and environmentally friendly glass melting furnace with an output of 400 tonnes per day of bottles, together with three forehearths for glass conditioning. It will manufacture container bottles in flint, amber and green colours.
HORN’s E-fusion power-boosting technology will allow the furnace to produce the maximum pull on all three colours with 6 percent or even up to 20 percent electrical share. Furthermore the furnace will be capable of operating on either natural gas, LPG or biofuels and will employ state-of-the-art technology to achieve superior energy efficiency.
The forehearths will feature the HORN glass-conditioning system GCS 301-advanced design, allowing for the application of a wide range of gob temperatures to produce the bottles. The system contains a special designed cover block with indirect centreline cooling. This cover block allows to separate areas along the control zones into boundary areas to heat the glass, particularly at the side of the forehearth and a central section to guide direct cooling air. The GCS 301-advanced system offers high flexibility with it’s left/right heating system and uses high-performance insulating refractories for superior glass conditioning.
HORN will be responsible for the supply of the container glass furnace, all refractory materials, steel construction, E-fusion power boosting, auxiliary equipment, supervision, manpower for construction and tools for installation and commissioning.
The contractual scope also includes theoretical and practical training, as well as production support for 60 days in the post-commission period.
Ambev, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch Inbev, also known as AB Inbev, opened its first glass plant in Rio de Janeiro in 2008, which furnace was also built by HORN. Ambev’s portfolio consists of more than 30 beverage brands such as Budweiser, Brahma and Michelob Ultra, having its footprint in 19 countries. It employs more than 30,000 people in Brazil.