Decarbonization with electricity – a flagship project from Thuringia

Heinz Glas GmbH – a leading manufacturer of bottles and jars for the cosmetics industry – has taken a decisive step towards climate-neutral industrial production: At its long-established Piesau (Thuringia) site, the last gas-fired glass melting furnace was shut down in 2024 and replaced by a fully electric, green-powered system. This reduces the company's CO₂ emissions at the site by up to 6,250 tons annually. The new melting furnace is the centerpiece of a comprehensive transformation project, which is being funded with around €15 million by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. It is not only fully electric but also flexibly controllable – a first in the glass industry. This allows production to be better adapted to demand and the proportion of recycled glass cullet to be varied depending on the glass color. CEO Carletta Heinz speaks of a "historic milestone": "We are combining our 400-year-old glassmaking tradition with a sustainable future." Overall, the group is investing around 60 million euros in decarbonization – a clear commitment to the Thuringia location and to responsibility for future generations.