Diageo, Encirc Team Up for Net Zero Glass Bottles
The hydrogen-powered furnace, which will make it possible to make large quantities of the world's first net-zero glass bottles, will go into mass production in 2027. The target is to produce up to 200 million net-zero bottles of well-known brands such as Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Gordon's, and Tanqueray by 2030.
In late 2022, it was announced that Diageo would collaborate with Encirc, a prominent glass manufacturer and co-packer, to develop the world's first net zero glass bottles on a large scale by 2030.
The objective is to revolutionise the glass industry by decreasing carbon emissions by 90% through an energy mix consisting of green electricity and low-carbon hydrogen. The remaining emissions will be captured using carbon capture technology by 2030. Hydrogen from the Vertex (HyNet) facility in Cheshire, England, will power the furnace.
By 2030, it is expected that the furnace will make up to 200 million bottles a year for popular brands like Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Gordon's, and Tanqueray. This is half of Diageo's supply of these bottles in Europe.
Ewan Andrew, President, Global Supply & Procurement and Chief Sustainability Officer at Diageo, said: “We are really excited to be a part of this world-leading announcement which forms part of our commitment to halve our Scope 3 carbon emissions by 2030. All renewable energy options are important to us, and we’d like to see Government and industry further accelerate the direct supply of green energy as a mainstream option. Ultimately, we look forward to a world where people can enjoy their favourite drinks from zero-carbon glass bottles.”
The company will be able to meet the goals in its ESG action plan, Society 2030: Spirit of Progress, with the help of a zero-carbon furnace. The company has committed to reducing its scope 3 emissions by 50% by the year 2030, and producing net zero bottles at scale across Europe is a crucial advancement towards achieving this objective.
Adrian Curry, Managing Director of Encirc, said: “This will be a major step in our goal of producing net zero glass by 2030. With support from the Government and key partners, Encirc and Diageo believe it will be possible to have this first-of-its-kind furnace up and running at the beginning of 2027.
“Glass is an incredible material, being infinitely recyclable and chemically inert. It has been around since 3500 BC and has never been produced in this way. This is about protecting glass as a material by addressing the carbon challenge. The work we and Glass Futures undertake will be shared with the UK glass industry to ensure the glass remains the packaging of choice for many thousands more years!”
Source: Diageo
