In order to deal with the current imbalance between supply and demand and overcapacity in the market, the top ten photovoltaic glass manufacturers including Xinyi Solar and Flat Glass Group held an emergency meeting and reached a consensus to implement a plan to close furnaces and reduce production by 30% from now on.
Why does the glass industry need a reduction in energy demand?
The glass industry has strived for a reduction in energy demand since the 19th century . This necessity may become apparent when considering that the glass industry spent over $100 billion to power its manufacturing plants in the USA .
Can batch preheating reduce emissions from the glass industry?
Our review found that batch preheating could be an optimal mean to mitigate emissions from the glass industry. This process consists of capturing and passing hot exhaust gases from the back end of regenerators through cullet or batch to recapture sensible heat and re-absorb dust and SOx4.
Why is the glass industry considered an energy-intensive industry?
The glass industry, holds one of the highest production volumes per capita worldwide, is also considered an energy-intensive industry due to its high share of energy per tonne of product [26, , , ].
Most growth will occur in laser‐based manufacturing, medical technologies and life sciences, lighting, and optical communications. Research estimates that the glass industry will reach USD 180.94 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3% during 2020–2027.
Will the glass manufacturing industry decarbonize in 20-30 years?
Based on these assumptions, the decarbonization of the glass manufacturing industry is thus projected to follow a slow trajectory in the following 20–30 years as infrastructures and technologies are put in place and then rolled out to all installations .
Is float glass a low carbon future?
Moreover, research indicates that almost all float glass manufacturing installations in Europe are certified with ISO14001 and/or EMAS, the EU Eco-Management Audit Scheme . However, such efforts may not be enough since transitioning to a low carbon future will require interventions on both the demand and supply sides.