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A European first: a biofuel tank in a Saint-Gobain Glass float factory in Salaise-sur-Sanne!

As part of the Saint-Gobain Group’s roadmap aimed at reducing carbon emissions, the goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The Group’s subsidiaries, including Saint-Gobain Glass, are developing innovative solutions, services and products.

With a view to reducing the glass industry’s GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, reductions in the company’s direct emissions (scope 1*) help make the construction sector more sustainable, as it currently accounts for 38% of global GHG emissions.

However, 25% of the sector’s emissions are associated with embodied carbon. This is why it is essential to also target scope 3*: indirect emissions. 

In partnership with Glass Partners Transports and Saipol, Saint-Gobain Glass’ transport activity has set up a B100 biofuel tank at the Eurofloat factory in Salaise-sur-Sanne. 

Europe’s first biofuel tank in a float furnace

By the end of 2022, a dozen inloaders (transporting glass plates) will be running on B100. This biofuel, made from 100% French rapeseed oil, reduces GHG emissions from vehicles by up to 60% compared with diesel. The connected tank is made in France using materials of French origin.

Saint-Gobain Glass uses biofuel derived from responsible soil conservation practices, which also ensures French producers get a higher payment than market prices. This is made possible by our partner and supplier: Saipol. This French company, specialising in the processing of oilseeds, offers a number of low-carbon energy solutions, particularly in the field of transport.

The future of transport

This easy-to-use energy solution does not affect the daily life of transport operators in the slightest. On the contrary, it ensures simplified on-site supply for inloaders capable of receiving this type of fuel. 

Saint-Gobain Glass wishes to develop new actions to reduce scope 3 GHG emissions.

The inauguration of Europe’s first tank on a float furnace is an achievement for the Salaise-sur-Sanne site, as well as a great promise for the future.

A successful opening

The 9th of November 2022 was an ideal opportunity to bring together all project stakeholders so that they could exchange and share experience. During the various addresses, Nicolas Mondy - Supply Chain Director of Saint-Gobain Glass International, and Matthieu Jourdier - Industrial Director of Glass Industry, spoke about the importance of optimising the trips of inloaders. Our partners Freddy Nicolas - Manager of Glass Partners Transports, and Thomas Vial - Salesman at SAIPOL, spoke about the importance of this partnership and the trust-based relationship. Lastly, Stéphane Dauvé - Transport Director of Europe Glass Industry, gave a closing address, thanking the partners in attendance and all the employees who contributed to making this project a resounding success. At the end of the speeches, they were given the opportunity to see a carrier filling up his inloader, in real time, from the new tank. 

While in 2022, Saint-Gobain Glass launched the first low-carbon glass substrate, ORAÉ®, the inauguration of this biofuel tank is a further step towards an even more sustainable glass industry. 

2050 is not that far off, and Saint-Gobain Glass is already taking action to follow the Group’s raison d’être that we all share: Making The World A Better Home!

 

* The scopes represent the different levels of greenhouse gas emissions from businesses, with a view to focusing the efforts required to reduce the carbon intensity of their activities.
Scope 1 - direct emissions: Use of fuels, methane emissions, etc. 
Scope 2 - energy consumption: Secondary energy consumption (heat, steam, cold).
Scope 3 - indirect emissions: Raw material procurement and extraction, transport, supply chain, waste management, recycling, etc