AGC, a leading global glass manufacturer, has taken a major step forward in the decarbonization of glass production at its float glass plant in Seingbouse, France, through a joint project and strategic partnership with energy company E.ON. The initiative aims to improve energy efficiency while significantly reducing CO₂ emissions at the site.
The project includes the installation of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) plant to recover residual heat and convert it into CO₂-neutral electricity, as well as the construction of on-site photovoltaic power plants generating renewable energy.
Waste Heat to Power
As an energy-intensive industry, glass manufacturing continuously faces the challenge of improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. The float glass furnace, the core of the production process, operates at very high temperatures. In the past, approximately 30% of the heat generated by the furnace was lost through flue gases.
Thanks to this collaboration, AGC is now transforming this previously wasted heat into a valuable energy resource. In 2024, an innovative ORC plant with a capacity of 1.3 megawatts (MW) was installed at the Seingbouse site. The system captures waste heat from the furnace and converts it into CO₂-neutral electricity, which is used directly to power the facility.
Harnessing Solar Energy
To further support its decarbonization efforts, AGC installed photovoltaic power plants across 27,000 m² of the Seingbouse site. A first photovoltaic installation with a capacity of 2.7 MWp was commissioned in 2024. This was followed by a second photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 5.1 MWp, which has been operational since the beginning of 2026.
Together, the ORC and photovoltaic installations supply the Seingbouse plant with approximately 15 gigawatt hours (GWh) of decarbonized electricity per year, covering a significant share of the site’s energy demand. As a result, around 900 tonnes of CO₂ emissions are avoided annually.
Long-Term Power Purchase Agreement Ensuring Energy Security
The project is structured as a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), under which E.ON financed, built, and operates the energy facilities, selling the generated electricity back to AGC at a fixed price. This innovative model provides long-term energy cost stability, reduces exposure to volatile energy markets, and required no upfront investment from AGC.
The project also benefits from support from the French government under the “France Relance” plan, implemented by ADEME. The Seingbouse initiative builds on a successful partnership between AGC and E.ON that began in 2019 and includes several joint energy efficiency projects across Europe, notably in Hungary and at multiple sites in the Czech Republic.
The Seingbouse project represents a key sustainability milestone and forms an integral part of AGC’s Decarbonization Roadmap. Through continued investment in renewable and low-carbon electricity solutions, AGC remains committed to reducing its carbon footprint and advancing more sustainable glass manufacturing.
source: agc-glass.eu
