Smirnoff owner Diageo has teamed up with glass manufacturer Encirc to create net zero glass bottles at scale by 2030.
Described as the “world’s first” which will “change the face of glass”, the innovation is set to be achieved via a new furnace at Encirc’s Elton plant in Cheshire.
The furnace looks to reduce carbon emissions by 90% using an energy mix of green electricity and low carbon hydrogen, with carbon capture technology expected to capture the remaining carbon emissions by 2030.
The hydrogen used to power the new furnace will come from Vertex Hydrogen, a partner of the government-backet leading industrial decarbonisation project, HyNet North West cluster.
Set to be fully operational by 2027, the furnace will produce up to 200 million Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Gordon’s and Tanqueray bottles annually by 2030.
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“We are really excited to be a part of this world leading announcement which forms part of our commitment to halve our Scope 3 carbon emissions by 2030,” Diageo president, global supply and procurement and chief sustainability officer, Ewan Andrew said.
“All renewable energy options are important to us and we’d like to see government and industry further accelerating the direct supply of green energy as a mainstream option. Ultimately, we look forward to a world where people can enjoy their favourite drinks from zero carbon glass bottles.”
Encirc managing director, Adrian Curry added: “With support from the government and key partners, Encirc and Diageo we believe it will be possible to have this first of its kind furnace up and running at the beginning of 2027.
“Glass is an incredible material being infinitely recyclable and chemically inert. It has been around since 3500 BC and has never been produced in this way.
“This is about protecting glass as a material by addressing the carbon challenge.”
