Saint-Gobain Claims Flat Glass World First in Hydrogen Trials

SAINT-GOBAIN SAYS it is the first manufacturer in the world to carry out a test production of flat glass using more than 30% hydrogen during Research & Development (R&D) trials.

At its Herzogenrath site in Germany, Saint-Gobain has proved the technical feasibility of manufacturing flat glass with a significant proportion of hydrogen, which will complement other decarbonised energy sources and will reduce the site’s direct CO₂ emissions (scope 1) by up to 70%.

The breakthrough innovation marks a new milestone in Saint-Gobain’s roadmap towards carbon neutrality in 2050. It complements R&D initiatives on the electrification of glass melting and notable achievements, such as the world’s first zero-carbon production of flat glass at Aniche in May 2022, thanks to 100% cullet and 100% decarbonised energy (biogas).

The milestone achievement strengthens Saint-Gobain’s position in sustainable construction, the company says, and confirms its role in helping to build a carbon neutral economy.

A European R&D Program

The R&D program leading to the trial was launched in 2022, drawing on the Group’s expertise in combustion, glass quality, ceramic refractories materials and industrial furnace design. The program was carried out in collaboration with the independent German laboratory, Gas and Heat Institute Essen e.V. (GWI), a specialist in industrial gas technologies. It was financially supported by the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia with an investmenr of 3.64 million euros.

The industrial tests in Herzogenrath were preceded by laboratory trials carried out in two research centres in France: Saint-Gobain Research Paris in Aubervilliers and Saint-Gobain Research Provence in Cavaillon.

Analysis of the data from these tests will make it possible to deploy the use of hydrogen in the Group’s new products in the decades to come, when low-carbon hydrogen is available in sufficient quantities.

Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. It had €51.2 billion in sales in 2022, employs 168,000 people in 75 countries and has publicly committed to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050.

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