Hrastnik1860 announce they have successfully pioneered the commercial production of premium glass spirits bottles using hydrogen as the primary energy source.* This significant step was made in collaboration with Bacardi and marks a major advancement toward sustainable production in the glass industry. Hrastnik1860 continues to innovate, utilising hydrogen to melt glass in one furnace and hybrid technology incorporating up to 40% electricity in another. Following the successful initial production, they have reopened orders and will enable customers to produce glass bottles, including lightweight options, during their ‘Sustainable week’ this December.

“At Hrastnik1860, we have embarked on a pioneering journey by integrating hydrogen as a primary fuel source in our glass production processes. In 2023, we achieved a significant milestone by utilizing more than 60% of hydrogen for our combustion needs during the production of 200,000 of Bacardi’s 70cl premium glass bottles. This transition resulted in a reduction of more than 30% in direct CO2 emissions from combustion compared to fossil fuel – natural gas – combustion,” said Matevž Fazarinc, CEO of Hrastnik1860.

Fazarinc emphasised Hrastnik1860’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in production processes and anticipated a significant increase in their production of sustainable, low-carbon glass packaging. Their dedication to sustainability is recognized and valued by consumers, who increasingly prefer products that are not only high-quality and visually appealing but also environmentally responsible. “This is also one of the reasons why we have decided to have a ‘Sustainable week’ in December and renew this type of production. We have already opened orders for interested customers,” added Fazarinc. Hrastnik1860 has already successfully produced glass bottles with hydrogen technology for brands such as Bacardi and Chateau d‘Esclans.

A clean fuel for a sustainable future

Hydrogen is emerging as a crucial energy vector in the drive toward sustainable industrial processes, particularly in energy-intensive industries, such as glass manufacturing. As a clean fuel, hydrogen only produces water vapour when burned, eliminating direct carbon dioxide emissions typically associated with the combustion of fossil fuels. Additionally, hydrogen can be easily produced from renewable energy sources via electrolysis, further enhancing its potential as a sustainable and versatile energy solution. These characteristics make it an excellent alternative for industries aiming to rapidly and significantly reduce their carbon footprint.

“Our successful adoption of clean hydrogen technology has not only reduced our carbon footprint but also reinforced our position as a leader in the European premium glass packaging market. This shift towards hydrogen utilisation presented several challenges, particularly in maintaining the high-quality standards expected of our products. However, through successful R&D efforts, we have effectively managed to use hydrogen in our furnaces without compromising the quality or efficiency of glass production,” explained Hrastnik1860 as they continue to innovate and expand their use of sustainable technologies.

*The implementation of Clean Hydrogen technology was partially achieved through the H2GLASS project, co-funded by the European Union.