CO₂-Reduced Pharmaceutical Glass: Construction Starts on Innovative SCHOTT Glass Melting Tank

The international technology group SCHOTT/DE has set itself the goal of sustainably transforming its energy-intensive specialty glass production. At the same time, the company is continuously working on the further development of its materials and is opening the next chapter with its FIOLAX® Pro OCF (Optimized Carbon Footprint) pharmaceutical glass tube. A technically complex change in production is expected to reduce the product carbon footprint and thus the CO2 emissions of pharmaceutical glass by 50 %. The company is achieving this reduction in emissions through the use of innovative electrified melting technology in combination with 100 % green electricity, for which the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new melting tank took place in Mitterteich, Bavaria.
In the pharmaceutical industry, SCHOTT’s borosilicate glass – known under the brand name FIOLAX® – has been the gold standard for over a century when it comes to safely storing or administering vital medicines. The pharmaceutical glass tubing is used to make high-quality syringes, cartridges, vials, and ampoules. With its future-oriented FIOLAX® Pro glass and OCF product line, the company is expanding its existing product portfolio and reducing emissions from pharmaceutical glass. The glass tube has the same properties as FIOLAX® Pro, but its new manufacturing process significantly reduces CO2 emissions. The switch to an innovative electric melting tank using 100 % green electricity and a minimal amount of natural gas has made it possible to reduce GHG emissions. Looking at the melting process alone, emissions can be reduced by 80 %. If the process of raw material extraction and glass post-processing is also taken into account, the new product line causes 50 % less CO2 emissions than conventional borosilicate glass production.

Innovative tank technology sets new standards
Over the past two years, SCHOTT has laid the groundwork for a new melting technology in various development projects. This research work is now being transferred to large-scale operation with a new innovative melting tank in which natural gas-based regenerative technology is being replaced by electric melting technology. The pilot furnace, which the company will build at its site in Mitterteich, is a groundbreaking development for the entire specialty glass industry. Glass production in the new melting plant is scheduled to start there in early 2027. Investments of around EUR 40 million have been made for this purpose, financed by SCHOTT’s own funds and subsidies from the German Federal Ministry of Economics.

www.schott.com


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