Amid global calls for the adoption of green materials on World Environment Day, Glass Futures and AGI Glaspac announced a pivotal collaborative sustainability agreement.
World Environment Day encourages the adoption of sustainable practices to drive systemic change, and AGI Glaspac becomes the first Indian-owned member of Glass Futures’ network of international stakeholders that is working together to identify and deliver routes to industrial decarbonisation. This membership underscores AGI Glaspac’s deep commitment to environmental stewardship and sets a new benchmark for the Indian glass industry.
“Glass is fully recyclable and with the support of global research organisations like Glass Futures we have an unparalleled opportunity to discuss and implement green policies that each of us can adopt for a better environment,” said Rajesh Khosla, CEO of AGI Glaspac, a leading Indian glass manufacturer that produces over 2000 tonnes per day of container glass and is deeply committed to spearheading sustainable glassmaking.
“This collaboration isn’t just about reducing our footprint; it’s about pioneering a sustainable future for glass manufacturing, not just in India, but globally. We are excited to contribute our expertise and learn from Glass Futures’ cutting-edge research, accelerating our own journey towards environmental sustainability,” Khosla added.
Just weeks ahead of Glass Futures’ experimental 30 tonnes per dday R&D furnace going live in a transformational pilot plant in St Helens, UK, AGI and Glass Futures are already exploring opportunities to advance the common sustainability goals of Glass Futures’ international community. Extensive research projects and external trials with industrial partners are already enabling Glass Futures to lead the way with ground-breaking developments in fields such as biofuels, hydrogen, carbon capture, alternative raw materials and technologies around supporting and enabling circularity.
“Since the announcement last year by strategic member Diageo to expand their partnership with Glass Futures into India to explore effective routes for decarbonising the glass industry, we have actively engaged with the AIGMF and key players from this fast-growing region,” said Dave Fordham, Glass Futures’ Global Engagement Lead. “We are very pleased this has resulted in AGI joining Glass Futures and look forward to collaborating alongside our worldwide network of sustainability pioneers.”
As highlighted by the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his recent visit to Glass Futures, the UK and India have signed a free trade deal that is expected to boost bilateral trade between the two nations. Citing a potentially significant boost to the glass sector, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament) Rhoda Grant reported, “The agreement has the potential to increase Scotch Whisky exports to India by GBP 1 billion over the next five years and to create 1,200 jobs across the UK”.*
All India Glass Manufacturers’ Federation (AIGMF) Secretary Vinit Kapur concluded, “AIGMF is actively promoting glass as a sustainable material and participates in various initiatives to enhance glass’ environmental credentials. Co-operation with R&D bodies such as Glass Futures is potentially very beneficial to the AIGMF and our members; AGI becoming a Glass Futures member to collaborate on sustainability projects is an important development for the Indian glass sector, as well as the wider UK and global markets.”
