Ardagh Group advances low-carbon glass production with hybrid NextGen Furnace

Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe’s award-winning NextGen Furnace demonstrates how hybrid technology can accelerate decarbonisation across the packaging industry.

Built in 2023 at AGP-Europe’s facility in Obernkirchen, Germany, the hybrid technology was engineered to transition the energy in the furnace from predominantly natural gas to renewable electricity.

It has already proven the production of amber glass bottles on a commercial scale using 60% renewable electricity alongside high levels of recycled glass cullet, delivering a 64% reduction[1] in carbon emissions compared with the previous traditional furnace technology.

In 2025, production expanded to include both lower-carbon flint and green glass[2] enabling AGP-Europe to meet increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions.

Depending on the production mix, the NextGen Furnace saves approximately 35,000 tonnes[3] of CO₂ annually, underscoring its impact as one of the most advanced decarbonisation initiatives in the global glass sector.

This breakthrough technology has been recognised across the industry, earning multiple prestigious awards:

• Energy Efficiency Hub Top Ten 2025
• Sustainability Awards 2024 - Climate Award
• SEAL Business Award 2024 - Sustainable Innovation
• DENA Energy Efficiency ‘Think Big’ Award 2024
• WBCSD Eclipse Pioneer Award 2024
• British Glass Focus Award 2023 - Sustainable Practice
• AB InBev Award 2023 - Industry Gamechanger
• Schaumberg Innovationspreis 2023

 

Watch a short video about the NextGen Furnace.

Discover more about the recent move to green glass production here.

[1] LCA calculation: January to June 2024

[2] CO₂ emissions reductions for flint and green glass production are still to be verified.

[3] Scope 1 and 2 emissions.