Hrastnik1860, a member of Vaider Group, introduced one of its most important sustainability projects – hybrid end-fired regenerative furnace (BEAR) project, which sets new standards in the field of industrial decarbonisation. The hybrid furnace, which will utilizes up to 40% of electricity for its heat supply, will help to drastically reduce the carbon footprint while maintaining the highest standards of glass quality. The new technology reduces natural gas consumption by up to 50% for melting process compared to Best Available Technologies and thus represents an important step in the decarbonisation of the European glass and energy intensive industry.
The hybrid furnace will use a higher proportion of electricity for operation (up to 40%), which is a remarkable leap from the current industry norm of only 5-10%. As a result, natural gas consumption will be decreased which will also reduce the environmental impact associated with fossil fuels. Over the next decade, this furnace will prevent more than 100,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions, enough to offset the total yearly greenhouse gas emissions of 20,000 households in the Zasavje region.
“Vaider Group, with Hrastnik1860 at the helm, wants to create a legacy of outstanding glassmaking that puts sustainable innovation into practice, ensures top quality and protects our planet for the future. Our vision is to combine centuries of craftsmanship with the power of state-of-the-art sustainable technologies to redefine the future of glassmaking,” said Peter Čas, CEO of the Vaider Group.
The hybrid furnace, designed as part of the BEAR project, the first and only project in Slovenia co-funded by the EU Innovation Fund, is designed to align production with the availability of renewable energy sources, making it adaptable to the demands of a sustainable energy future. The BEAR project has an investment value of €3,730,000, 60% of which is financed by the EU Innovation Fund. The hybrid furnace will be integrated into a so-called hybrid energy storage system, coupling it with a locally available photovoltaic power plants. This collaboration, a part of the Horizon Europe i-STENTORE project, will enable renewable energy sources and glass production to further contribute to achieving the goals of the green transition. “And within Horizon Europe CITADEL, we are already working to increase the share of hybrid furnace electricity use, which will enable even further electrification in 2027,” said Gorazd Krese, BEAR project coordinator.
In the last three years, Hrastnik1860 has expanded its own photovoltaic capacity by 1.3 MWp and transitioned to 100% clean electricity sourcing, significantly reducing emissions. In the future, they are committed to sourcing even more renewable energy locally and encourage building energy communities that promote energy independence and resilience. Clean glass melting is also an important pillar of their commitment to sustainability. “We are committed to developing and implementing new technologies that that enhance the sustainability, flexibility, and environmental responsibility of glass melting processes,” said Matevž Fazarinc, CEO of Hrastnik1860.
At the same time, Hrastnik1860 also presented its sustainability manifesto, a vision that guides them in shaping a future where tradition and innovation coexist in synergy with the environment. “We have made bold, ambitious and measurable commitments to make our vision a reality. We plan to reduce our total CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2025 and by 50% by 2030. This means that by 2030 we will have reduced emissions by 33,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, equivalent to the carbon footprint of more than 7,000 households. And we are committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 as part of the global Race to Zero campaign,” added Fazarinc.
