Nikolaus SORG were honoured to be invited by Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe (AGP-E) to their glass facility in Obernkirchen, Germany for the official unveiling of their NextGen furnace. The furnace is the first operational CLEAN Melter to be launched. Starting out as a conventional furnace, powered by 20% renewable electricity and 80% gas, it is currently progressing through a planned start-up sequence that will ultimately result in a ratio of 80% renewable electricity and 20% gas.

Nikolaus SORG Research & Development Manager, Dirk Schnurpfeil explained “The CLEAN Melter is the result of a combination of SORG Group’s extensive experience in furnace design and meticulous mathematical modelling by our in‑house experts.”

SORG Group Managing Partner Alexander Sorg, said: “We’re delighted with the initial performance of the CLEAN Melter®. To see the first amber bottles coming off the line has been a proud moment, and we’re looking forward to more customers making the switch to sustainably powered glass melting.”

SORG Group Managing Partner Michael Sorg added “Our unrivalled knowledge of electric and hybrid melting supports our vision of leading the glass industry into greater sustainability. With the CLEAN Melter, we now have the technology in place to make that vision a reality.”

www.sorg.de

Image: Sorg’s CLEAN Melter.