LCGlass to use renewable energy at Portuguese plant

Rega Energy will supply green hydrogen and oxygen to Leerdam Crisal Glass (LCGlass)’s Crisal production facility in Marinha Grande, Portugal.

LCGlass has signed a long-term renewable gas supply agreement with renewable energy company Rega Energy.

The agreement will see Rega Energy supply renewable gas to an oxy-hybrid furnace currently under construction at the Crisal glass plant.

The project will last 100 days and include the following main phases: drain and demolition of the old regenerative furnace, furnace construction (currently ongoing), heat up, fill, and the conclusion of the works by December 2024.

Antoine Jordans, CEO of LCGlass, said: “LCGlass, supported by its investor Anders Invest, sees this agreement as a major first step towards decarbonising glass production.

“The positive support from the Portuguese government and the European Union makes it viable for Crisal to invest toward this goal. We are looking forward to working together with Rega on this major project.”

The oxy-hybrid furnace will be electrified up to 80%, which will reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

The remaining natural gas consumption will be gradually replaced by renewable gases supplied by Rega Energy.

Thomas Carrier, CEO of Rega Energy, said: “In Portugal, renewable resources are abundant - wind, sun and hydro make the country’s electricity close to fully renewable: 82% first half of 2024.

“Here, our long-term partnership with Crisal will produce in a more sustainable way, maximising the electrification of its industrial process and consuming Rega’s green hydrogen and green oxygen for the remaining part.”

The project will increase the production capacity of the plant, and reduce the Crisal site’s carbon footprint.