With the aim of decarbonizing its activities and in line with the actions already under-way to develop new glass furnace technologies, Verallia is rethinking its energy mix with increased use of renewable and low-carbon energies.
The principles chosen: pragmatism and agility
All energy solutions are being considered to optimize the energy mix: carbon-free electricity (photovoltaic, wind, hydro, nuclear, etc.), biofuels (biogas, BHO or heavy biofuel, syngaz, bio-ethanol, etc.) or green hydrogen. The Group wants to be able to use all solutions, as long as they provide a significant environmental advantage and make sense locally.
These different energies will not be available simultaneously at all the Group’s sites. For example, in Germany, while it makes sense to study a green hydrogen solution (produced with carbon-free electricity) for a plant located in the Ruhr Valley – where the first hydrogen pipelines are expected to be established under pressure from existing heavy industries – in a more rural environment, biomass-based solutions seem much more promising.
How to proceed
Verallia has chosen to keep all the expertise around combustion systems in-house, and the Group is thus full autonomous to develop alternative to fossil fuels. Combining the expertise of a central team and local resources, project teams study different types of technical solutions, sometimes with the help of external partners.
A permanent monitoring system (new energy technologies, start-up ecosystems, national and international regulations) has also been set up to make sure no possible solution would be missed.
The need for a long-term vision
How can Verallia obtain this energy (renewable electricity as well as bio-fuel) with a commitment from our suppliers on the duration, on quality, on cost and in compliance with regulations? When signing 10-year supply contracts, these elements are important.
Verallia is thus developing for each energy and country by country sourcing strategies adapted to each market specificities.
Thanks to this comprehensive and agile strategy, 59 percent of the electricity consumed at Verallia in 2023 was renewable or low carbon, and the Group is on track to reach its objective of CO2 reduction of 46 percent in 2030 vs. 2019, for scopes 1 & 2.