Verallia France, a subsidiary of the Verallia Group, announces the completion of renovation and the restart of furnace No. 1 at its Chalon-sur-Saône plant. This investment is part of the Group’s industrial modernization and decarbonization strategy, enabling its largest plant to sustainably strengthen its performance and regional presence.
A super-boosted furnace for more sustainable production
Following the partial renovation of Furnace 3 in 2022, the complete renovation of furnace No. 1 at the Chalon-sur-Saône site is a key step in the modernization plan for this iconic plant in the Chalon basin. Specializing in the production of clear glass, furnace No. 1 produces iconic bottles from the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions, as well as specialty products for the spirits, still wine, and food markets, distributed locally, nationally, and internationally.
Thanks to this modernization, the furnace benefits from “super-boosted” technology, increasing the share of electricity in its energy mix. This now stands at 25 percent, thus reducing natural gas consumption to 75 percent. This development allows the Chalon-sur-Saône site to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 11 percent, while increasing its electrical melting power.
This is part of Verallia Group’s overall decarbonization strategy, which aims to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 46 percent by 2030 through the deployment of two new technologies: 100 percent electric furnaces, such as the one inaugurated in Cognac in September 2024, and hybrid furnaces planned for Spain in late 2025 and then in Saint-Romain-Le-Puy in 2026, reducing CO₂ emissions by 60 percent and 50 percent respectively.
Chalon-sur-Saône plant: 113 years of local anchorage and industrial expertise
Built in 1912, the Chalon-sur-Saône site is now the Verallia Group’s largest plant. With its 500 employees and three furnaces, the factory produces nearly a billion bottles each year. Recognized for its expertise in white glass, it notably produces the famous “dead leaf” colour, characteristic of Burgundy wines.