Saint-Gobain Oberland AG is testing the use of biogas at its Bad Wurzach factory, with the objective of guaranteeing the company's environmental sustainability. Unpurified biogas is being injected directly into the core process, where it is used to fire the melting furnace. Testing will take place over a period of six months to gather information on how the biogas affects the production process. During the testing phase, it is planned to replace nearly 50% of the fossil fuels traditionally used. The unpurified biogas is sourced from a neighbouring agricultural installation, which to-date, has used the fuel source to generate electricity. This renewable energy plant produces biogas from renewable raw materials. Provided the process of using biogas in the glass manufacturing process can be proven to be feasible during testing, it is also conceivable that gases obtained from waste materials, such as biowaste, can also be used in the future. The tests are supported by the German Federation of Industrial Cooperative Research Association and the Essen Institute for Gas & Heat, part of the Research Association of the German Glass Industry (HVG).
