12 March 2025

Glass, a material of the future: Rising to the challenge of decarbonization

As players in the glass industry, we have a unique opportunity and mission: to transform our sector into a model of sustainability and innovation. This is a significant challenge, but also an opportunity to build a future where industrial performance and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

Glass is a 100% infinitely recyclable material without any loss of quality; it is a “permanent” material at the heart of the circular economy. However, glass production still largely relies on gas combustion, which accounts for about 80% of the sector’s CO₂ emissions. Today, the glass industry is mobilized to reduce its carbon footprint.

An Industry in full transformation

At Verallia, the European leader in glass packaging for beverages and food products, this transformation is at the heart of our strategy. We have set an ambitious trajectory with a clear goal: to reduce our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 46% by 2030. To achieve this, we have implemented concrete initiatives:

Commissioning the first 100% electric furnace in Cognac, thus reducing CO₂ emissions by 60% compared to traditional furnaces.
Deploying hybrid furnaces, powered up to 80% by electricity and 20% by gas or other decarbonized alternatives, allowing a significant reduction of 50% in CO₂ emissions.
Strengthening the circularity of glass with the goal of integrating 59% recycled cullet into our production by the end of 2025.
Lightweighting and eco-design with the development of lighter bottles that reduce the carbon impact across the entire logistics chain.
Using biofuels and optimizing energy through the installation of photovoltaic panels on several of our sites, a syngas production plant, and converting residual heat into electricity.
Supporting glass reuse initiatives in Europe by funding projects aimed at strengthening circularity and limiting the environmental impact of the industry.

A collective dynamic to accelerate the transition

The recent FEVE report highlights that the sector’s technological advances meet the growing expectations for sustainable packaging, but an adapted regulatory framework is essential to amplify this transformation. For decarbonization to become a reality, industrial commitment must be accompanied by ambitious public policies. It is therefore essential to facilitate access to decarbonized energy infrastructures and to strengthen support mechanisms for innovation.

Each year, European companies in the glass packaging sector invest more than 600 million euros to reduce their carbon footprint. To achieve this ambition, around 20 billion euros will be needed by 2050.

The glass industry is a key link in many strategic sectors: pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, wines and spirits, perfumery. Investing in decarbonization means modernizing unique expertise while building a more sustainable future.

At Verallia, we are convinced that this transformation is an opportunity for reinvention. By innovating, collaborating, and adopting sustainable solutions to support our clients in their decarbonization projects, we are writing a new chapter for the glass industry. A chapter where every bottle produced reflects our commitment to a more sustainable future.