On August 26, 2024, Dr. Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, visited the headquarters of Heinz-Glas Group in Kleintettau.
The reason for the visit was the handover of a funding notice for the projects 67DDI041-3 “Glass4FutureInvest” and 67DDI041-2 “Glass4FutureEE” to SP Spezialglas Piesau GmbH in the amount of EUR 14.6 million (Glass4FutureInvest) and EUR 375,000 (Glass4FutureEE), which are to be allocated to the federal government’s “Decarbonization of Industry” funding program.
With this support, Heinz-Glas can build a new production building and put an innovative, all-electric glass melting tank into operation. This technology will enable the company to save up to 6,250 tonnes of CO2 annually and thus make an important contribution to the decarbonization of the glass industry.
In order to overcome the previously known technical limitations, HEINZ-GLAS has researched a flexible, all-electric melting tank. The results obtained will be incorporated into the investment project, which, in addition to the new production building, also includes a conversion of existing systems at the site in Piesau, Thuringia, Germany.
The innovative tank technology is intended to respond better to required production capacities. The use of recycled glass shards is to be variable, depending on the colour of glass to be produced.
“We are investing a total of around EUR 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 an important role in realizing our project and driving the transformation forward with full force. 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. I am proud of this project, which connects our roots with a sustainable future.”
