Latvian glass manufacturer Valmiera Glass has completed an extensive reconstruction of its glass melting furnace.The group invested €9 million of its E-glass melting furnace no 2.2 which it aid would improve the production quality of the furnace and make it more efficient and climate neutral.
The E-glass melting furnace will allow the company to ensure stable supply and delivery of E-glass and its products to the global glass fibre market.
The furnace is expected to reach full capacity by October with gradual production expected to start this month.
Stefan Jugel, Chairman of the Management Board, said:
“With the help of our shareholders and our financing partners, we have managed to terminate the LPP early and put the company on a solid financial basis. The switch to investment and growth is now the logical step to make us as a reliable, European manufacturer even more attractive for our customers. We have already started further investment projects in order to meet the market requirements in 2022 and the following years.”
Stefan Jugel, Chairman of the Management Board
A new automatic control system was installed for E-glass melting furnace No. 2.2, its electric heating furnace was completely reconstructed in the melting section, and the electric melting capacity was increased to reach EU natural gas consumption and CO2 reduction targets.
The furnace also has a new recuperator for recovering the heat from exhaust fumes, as well as a new filter for the exhaust fumes. In parallel, it has also reconstructed the indoor climate maintenance system and made investments in the glass fibre bobbin storage and maturing system that ensures higher manufacturing quality. The company invested an additional € 1.9 million to complete these works.
Ģirts Vēveris, Management Board member responsible for production, said:
“By reconstructing furnace No. 2.2, we not only want to become technologically advanced, but also to protect the environment, and become as climate neutral as possible in our core business.”
Ģirts Vēveris, Management Board member
He continued,
“These improvements allow us to take a few steps towards this goal: with the new recuperator, we will be able to recover more heat from the exhaust fumes of the furnace, and heat the production facilities instead of the outdoor air. Thanks to the higher electric melting capacity, we will consume less natural gas and produce fewer CO2emissions. Moreover, the reconstructed climate maintenance system will increase the quality of our products, as well as considerably improve the working conditions of our employees during the warmer months of the year. It will also allow us to use energy sources in a more rational manner.”
Ģirts Vēveris, Management Board member
Glass melting furnace No. 2.2 features an approx. 35m2 basin, and its maximum production capacity is up to 50 tonnes of E-glass fibre per day. The glass melting furnace is expected to have a 10-year life cycle after the reconstruction.
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