PRIMUS: leading the way to sustainable crystal glass production in Europe

The PRIMUS (PRIme Manufacturing of crystal glass Under innovative Solution) project, based in Fidenza, Italy, is at the forefront of transforming Europe’s tableware crystal glass industry by focusing on decarbonisation and sustainability. 

This solution introduces a hybrid furnace that combines combustion with electric heating and uses regenerative burners to capture and reuse heat. This innovation will reduce fossil fuel consumption, and decrease CO₂ and other emissions, making glass production more energy-efficient, cost-effective and sustainable. By advancing its technology, PRIMUS is contributing to Europe’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals while enhancing the competitiveness of the industry.  

Currently, 85% of Europe’s container glass production relies on fossil fuels, with only 15% powered by electricity. PRIMUS’ hybrid furnace technology offers a clear path to electrification, not just for crystal glass but also for other types of glass manufacturing, such as flat glass, where only 2% of the production process uses electricity. 

Supported by a €4.5 million grant from the Innovation Fund, PRIMUS has made significant steps in implementing its hybrid furnace with regenerative burners. In the past two years, the project has achieved important milestones, including finalising the construction of the innovative furnace.  

The project has overcome some challenges that occurred during the first tests with the new technology, such as an increase unwanted bubbles in the glass. The team managed to overcome these challenges by fine-tuning the technology, stepping up quality control and monitoring without compromising the high-quality manufacturing standards, and the new furnace energy efficiency gains. Another innovation is the installation of the waste heat recovery system, which captures and reuses energy to make the entire production process even more efficient. 

Looking ahead, PRIMUS expects to reduce 42.3 kilotonnes of CO₂ over the next decade by deploying this new technology – equivalent to the annual emissions from nearly 2,700 households in Italy. The success of the PRIMUS project will set a new standard for sustainability in the glass industry and beyond, with the potential for widespread adoption in other manufacturing sectors. 

About the Innovation Fund 

The Innovation Fund, financed by EU Emissions Trading System revenues, is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. The Fund focuses on highly innovative clean technologies and big flagship projects with European added value that can bring significant greenhouse gas emission reductions.