SCHOTT has succeeded in producing a test melt with 100% hydrogen in the laboratory and without using natural gas. The specialty glass experts from Mainz had already started the first industrial-scale tests with the participation of local partners late in 2022. In these tests, 35% hydrogen was added to a melting tank that had previously been operated exclusively with natural gas. The results showed that a change in melting technology away from using fossil fuels is indeed possible.

“The current laboratory tests were conducted under conditions that were much closer to production than in 2020 when we conducted preliminary tests in a research project. Thanks to the expanded hydrogen supply at the plant in Mainz in the meantime, we were now able to melt and test for a significantly longer period of time,” explained Dr. Matthias Kaffenberger, Melting Technology Manager at SCHOTT. “For the first time, we succeeded in completely using hydrogen for a holding time of 10 days on a laboratory scale. This success represents an important milestone for the technology Group to be able to perform corresponding tests in production reality and the results in large-scale technology in the future.”

The “H2 Industry – the Use of Hydrogen in Industrial Combustion Processes” project, in which SCHOTT tested the admixture of hydrogen in production at the site in Mainz in late 2022, is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy and Mobility. The company has also been active in the MiGWa project (Microwave Glass Hydrogen) aimed at reducing fuel gas in the glass manufacturing process by using hydrogen or microwaves.

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