O-I wins edie Carbon Management Award
Glassmaker O-I has won the edie Sustainability Leaders Award for carbon management for its investment in sustainable technology.
O-I has invested £25 million in its Harlow plant in Essex to create the UK’s most sustainable container glass plant using a radical combination of gas-oxy fired furnace and a cullet pre-heater. This is a UK first and only the third combination like it in the world.
In 2016, the new system reduced Harlow’s direct CO2 emissions by 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes. Additional reductions are expected when the benefit of the cullet pre-heater becomes apparent.
Making the award, the judges said, “With the development of this glass manufacturing plant in Harlow, O-I has demonstrated that taking a step-change in approach to process innovation can deliver huge bottom-line, customer and sustainability benefits.”
Jim Rankine, Operations Lead for O-I UK said, “Everyone involved in the Harlow project knew it could make a great impact on the environment and I am delighted that their hard work has been recognised by this prestigious award.”
The edie Sustainability Leaders Awards are included in the highly regarded RSA accreditation scheme – one of only a handful of environmental schemes to be chosen for this honour. This means that award winners can gain further accolades on the international stage, as they are automatically given access to the European Business Awards for the Environment.
