Heinz Glas GmbH – leading manufacturer of flacons and jars for the cosmetics industry – has taken a bold step towards making industrial production climate-neutral: The last gas-fired glass melting furnace at the storied Piesau site (Thuringia) was shut down in 2024 – and replaced by an all-electric system powered by green electricity. This enables the company to reduce its CO₂ emissions at the site by up to 6,250 tons per year. The new melting furnace is the centerpiece of a major transformation project funded by around 15 million euros from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Not only is it fully electric, but it can also be controlled flexibly – a first in the glass industry. This makes it possible to better match production to demand and vary the proportion of recycled shards depending on the color of the glass. CEO Carletta Heinz spoke of a “historic milestone”: “We are combining our 400-year tradition of glassmaking with a sustainable future.” The Group is investing around 60 million euros in decarbonization – expressing a clear commitment to Thuringia and its responsibility for future generations.
