Low-Cost Biofuels For Glass and Ceramics Manufacturing, 2023 – 2026
Partners: Ardagh Group, Encirc (Vidrala),
Pilkington UK, DSF Refractories, O-I
Funding: £5.6M from the UK Department for
Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
DID YOU KNOW?
The glass industry has been around for over 5,000 years—but this may be the first time it’s been powered by biofuels made from waste cooking oil, with potential to reduce CO2 emissions from the furnace by more than 90%. Talk about turning yesterday’s leftovers into tomorrow’s innovation!
Why this project matters
The glass and ceramics industries are under increasing pressure to decarbonise. This project is a bold step toward that future— exploring low-cost, low-carbon biofuels as a viable alternative to natural gas. It’s not just about fuel—it’s about future-proofing our sector.
By joining forces with leading manufacturers and leveraging Glass Futures’ unique capabilities, we’re demonstrating how innovation can be scaled from lab to furnace, and from concept to commercial reality.
What we’re doing
- Fuel discovery & feasibility:
- Screening a wide range of biofuels for sustainability, availability, and furnace compatibility.
- Pilot & industrial trials:
- Benchmarking against natural gas and running full-scale industrial trials across float glass, container glass, and ceramics.
- Economic modelling:
- Using our in-house tools to assess CAPEX/OPEX and CCUS compatibility—turning technical data into business insight.
- Knowledge sharing:
- Tiered dissemination ensures members benefit from deep insights while protecting IP.
Get involved in future projects
This project is a blueprint for how your organisation can:
- De-risk innovation through shared trials and funding
- Access cutting-edge research and economic modelling tools
- Collaborate with industry leaders on real-world decarbonisation
- Bring the future into focus with sustainable manufacturing
Whether you’re looking to trial new fuels, validate technologies, or understand the economics of switching, this is your opportunity to lead the change.
We help you adopt new technologies faster, cut R&D time, and save money – email us at info@glass-futures.org