Energy Efficient Technologies in Asia

AGC Group highlighted the “promotion of sustainability management” as one of the priority issues in its medium-term management plan AGC plus-2023 and has set a goal of achieving net zero carbon from its own business activities by 2050. We have taken various measures to reduce GHG emissions in the glass manufacturing process, including the introduction of an oxygen combustion method with high melting efficiency, a fuel conversion from heavy oil to natural gas, and the introduction of an electric booster for melting. We will continue working towards the realisation of a sustainable global environment by reducing GHG emissions and supplying products and technologies that contribute to energy efficiency.

Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) module

AGC Flat Glass Thailand’s Samut Prakan plant is slated to be installed with an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power generation system in 2023 with the aim of reducing indirect CO₂ emissions and also lowering electricity costs. Flue gas is gas that is released during combustion of fuel. In glass production, it is produced from the glass melting furnace. The system generates power by taking the waste heat from this flue gas and converting it into electricity. This works via an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) module that uses an organic oil with a low boiling point. The system is expected to generate 14 GWh of electricity per year by extracting waste heat from the flue gas produced by glass melting furnaces and converting it into electricity, increasing energy efficiency.

Electricity generation by photovoltaic panels

AGC Architectural Glass Asia Pacific plans to install photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate green power within the plant. This will be installed in AGC Flat Glass Thailand Chonburi plant and also several production sites in Indonesia in 2023. A total output of 14 GWh of photovoltaic capacity will be created which will help reduce indirect emissions from energy consumption.