Glass Technology Services have demonstrated techniques that could potentially cut carbon emissions drastically and save the glassmaking industry millions of pounds a year by using waste ash from biomass power plants. Research has shown that using the ash could cut carbon emissions and replace up to a fifth of the conventional mined and man-made raw materials used to make glass (sand, soda ash and limestone). UK biomass power plants currently produce more than a million tons of waste ash a year. And now, working with Sheffield Hallam University, the team are looking at how they can make the process more efficient, demonstrating to glass makers that they can make quality glass using waste ash which melts at lower temperatures thus saving energy costs, and at the same time cut down on CO2 emissions.
