Using biodiesel ENCIRC created the most sustainable glass in the world

ENCIRC, a leading glass manufacturer and pioneer of manufacturing technology, had a vision to reduce their C02 emissions.

Located across three sites in England, Northern Ireland and Italy, they produce more than 4 billion glass containers for leading global brands each year.

Back in February 2021, ENCIRC and Argent Fuels partnered up to help reduce their carbon footprint, whilst in turn creating what would be the most sustainable glass in the world.

A first in the industry, this development was helped coordinated by Glass Futures, a not-for-profit, Research Technology

Organisation acting as a Global Centre of Excellence for Glass.

ENCIRC used cullet, a form of recycled glass, combined with 1,000 tons of Argent’s waste-based FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) biodiesel to fuel and fire their furnaces, reaching temperatures of up to 1500°C to create the world’s most sustainable glass bottles.

By using Argent Fuels’ high-quality biodiesel, they prevented 1,747 tons of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of removing 882 cars off the road. ENCIRC were able to achieve a more sustainable operation having gone from burning heavy fuel oil, gas oil and natural gas, to renewable fuel.

Adrian Curry, Managing Director at ENCIRC said “This is a truly momentous occasion for glass. We have set the standard globally with this trial and now the glass industry needs to work towards realising what we’ve proved is possible. We now know that glass can be the most sustainable of all packaging types and must all work together to ensure that happens”

Following the ground-breaking success, ENCIRC will continue working on a range of biogenic fuels and other GHG-saving activities in order to permanently reduce their C02 emissions and ultimately achieve Net Zero.