AGC Glass Europe

The major environmental impact of glass production is caused by atmospheric emissions from melting activities:

• The combustion of natural gas/oil and the decomposition of raw materials during the melting lead to the emission of CO₂. This is the only greenhouse gas emitted during the actual production of glass.
• Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) from the fuel and/or from decomposition of sulphur compounds in the batch materials can contribute to acidification.
• Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) due to the high melting temperatures and in some cases due to decomposition of nitrogen compounds in the batch materials also contribute to acidification.
• Evaporation from the molten glass and raw materials, and the use of special coatings, can cause spread of particles in the atmosphere.
   

Other environmental issues are water pollution, the use of raw materials such as sand and minerals, production of solid waste and emission of volatile organic compounds (used in production of mirrors and coatings).

Although much has already been achieved, further reductions in emissions of SO₂, dust particles, NO_x and CO₂ are still the main environmental objectives for our flat glass activities. Minimising and controlling these emissions in an integrated way is a complex matter. The development of environmental techniques is still ongoing, and AGC Glass Europe actively participates in the dynamic process of developing new techniques. Most of these technologies, however, have disadvantages as well as advantages. For example:

• Switching from heavy fuel to natural gas reduces SO₂, but increases NO_x.
• Some technologies that reduce e.g. NO_x can cause an increase in CO₂ when extra energy input is needed.
• Technologies that reduce SO₂ can produce non-recyclable waste.
• Some technologies for reducing SO₂ are not compatible with end-of-pipe de-NO_x technologies.
• Some technologies can affect the lifetime of the furnace or the quality of the glass.

A glass furnace cannot be stopped and cooled down during its lifetime. Most technologies can therefore only be installed during a furnace rebuild. At that moment we have to “Look Beyond” and make decisions for a long period.

This report includes the major activities of AGC: Raw Glass, Automotive, Processed and Solar division.
The environmental impacts of these different activities are different, because the air emissions are much lower for the automotive division and processes.
Similarly, the quantities of waste are lower than in float plants, but constant recycling effort reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill.