A hybrid gathering held over 29–30 November 2022 provided the opportunity for GlassTrend members to meet both online and physically at the Sibelco facilities in Mol and Dessel, Belgium to explore the solutions to implement in an uncertain future.

With Glass Worldwide as preferred journal, GlassTrend is a consortium of worldwide operating industries and institutes working in the field of glass and glass production. Commenting on the success of the recent seminar, GlassTrend chairman Oscar Verheijen enthused: “After an intense period of virtual GlassTrend events, we were very pleased to be able to gather together to discuss ways to reduce costs. We also addressed the longer-term sustainability of glass production.”

Expert presentations included:

• AGC Japan – Terutaka Maehara: ‘Some ideas to use NaOH in float glass melting.’
• CelSian – Ankith John Santosh: ‘Energy balance simulations to quantify energy/cost savings.’
• GlassTrend – Oscar Verheijen: ‘Pre-competitive R&D enabling sustainable glass production.’
• Interprojekt/Ardagh – Sven-Roger Kahl: ‘New design preheaters.’
• Lanxess – Sven Reynaert: ‘Lowering the carbon footprint of E-glass by using recycle glass.’
• Owens Corning – Cheryl Smith: ‘Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a Tool for Sustainable Glass Production.’
• Sibelco – Hans van Limpt & Sylvain Hourquebie: ‘Short-term solutions to keep the melting costs under control.’
• Vidrala – Diego Ochoa: ‘Vidrala’s industrial experience on using alternative energy sources to natural gas (electrification, diesel, bio-diesel…).’

Hans van Limpt, GlassTrend’s Supplier Ambassador and Technology & Innovation Director for Glass at Sibelco, commented: “Hosting the first physical GlassTrend event after a long period of online meetings was an honour for Sibelco. As supplier of glass minerals and recycled materials, we take our responsibility, contribute to a sustainable and energy-efficient glass production process for now and in the future. Successful technical solutions are often the result of intensive collaboration between various parties. GlassTrend is an excellent platform to improve this collaboration and launch new ideas within the glass industry. As a result of our research activities in Sibelco’s glass laboratory in Dessel (Belgium), we are able to contribute to technical solutions required for sustainable glass production.”

In addition to the technical programme, attendees benefitted from a networking dinner and visits to the Sibelco Dessel Facility, the Sibelco Glass Lab and GlazenHuis, the Flemish centre for contemporary glass art.