Achieving net-zero glass production means more than reimagining how glass is made – it’s about transforming the entire value chain to make glass packaging fit for Europe’s future. The container glass industry is advancing on this journey through four key pathways:
- Furnaces of the Future: Cutting emissions by adopting hybrid or electric furnaces powered by renewable energy.
- Closing the Glass Loop: Boosting the use of recycled glass (cullet) in production to reduce virgin raw material consumption, and enabling reuse when it is economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
- Source & Design: Prioritising low-carbon raw materials and designing lighter, more efficient packaging.
- Transport & Delivery: Optimising logistics to adopting alternative fuels and collaborating across the value chain to decarbonise delivery systems.
As the glass industry advances its low-carbon journey, continued investment in new technologies and infrastructure is vital. For an industry so important to the EU’s international competitiveness – contributing to 5.7 percent of the EU’s total exports in 2023 thanks to products packed in glass – the glass sector plays a key role in supporting European brands. For progress to continue, the industry needs enabling conditions from public authorities and continued trust by customers in place.
To learn more about what you can do to support FEVE on its decarbonisation journey click here.