At BA Glass, sustainability is not just a corporate target; it is a long-term commitment that drives our innovation, shapes our strategy and influences every decision we take. Our focus on the environment and society spans decades, but recent achievements have highlighted our dedication to sustainable development.
BA Glass’ sustainability framework is built on six key pillars: people, social accountability, environmental responsibility, shareholders, customers and consumers. These pillars guide our approach to sustainability, from the employees and communities’ development to the environmental impact of our operations and the satisfaction of our customers.
An ambitious goal has been set to become carbon neutral by 2050. While aligning our strategy with global initiatives such as the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), we are leading the way in reducing emissions and creating value for all stakeholders. In line with this vision, BA Glass aims to reduce Scope one and two emissions by 50 percent by 2035. Our efforts in this area have already yielded significant results. At our plants, 100 percent of electricity consumption is sourced from renewable energy, resulting in zero Scope two emissions. This achievement is just a part of our journey toward sustainability, as we continuously explore new technologies and partnerships that can help us reduce our carbon footprint.
Fostering commitment
Our commitment to the environment extends beyond energy use. We are actively working to enhance circularity within our operations. By partnering with Plataforma Vidro+ initiative in Portugal, where BA Glass operates, we aim to foster commitment among stakeholders in the national packaging glass value chain. In Romania, with the deposit and return system underway, we expect to drive significant increases in the glass collection rate.
This journey goes beyond meeting specific goals – it is about rethinking how we operate at every level
As a core part of BA Glass’ strong commitment to environmental sustainability, reducing the impact of our packaging is a top priority. Acknowledging the environmental issues tied to plastic, we have started several projects to reduce plastic waste in our processes.
In addition, we are also replacing cardboard with circular layer pads, resulting in a nine percent drop in cardboard usage per ton of production. At BA Glass we are also focused on the development of lightweight glass packaging, a key element in our strategy to reduce both Scope one and Scope three emissions. In 2023 alone, the lightweight programme has consistently reduced the volume of glass used in packaging, leading to a mitigation of over 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
Among the most remarkable innovations is the ECO furnace development, a technology that aims to revolutionise glass production using 100 percent renewable energy. By transitioning from natural gas to renewable electricity, green hydrogen, or biofuels, we expect to significantly reduce our energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Collaborative workshop
Beyond all these efforts, our partnerships with clients are key in driving sustainability forward. Through initiatives like Collab2Zero, a collaborative workshop designed to create a step-by-step action plan with our clients, we are working together to reduce our carbon footprint across the entire supply chain. Furthermore, our transport strategy is also at the forefront of innovation. Our initiatives in this field, such as the increasing use of dual trailers, electric, bio-LNG trucks, and a combination of road, rail, and short-sea shipping, have collectively improved efficiency, leading to notable CO2 emissions reductions.
Alongside all these initiatives, at BA Glass we are actively conducting extensive pilot projects to replace traditional raw materials with innovative, carbon-free alternatives that help us to reduce our emissions. These changes, as well as our ongoing collaboration with all the stakeholders in the value chain, are potentiating our positive impact on the environment. We recognise that sustainability is a shared responsibility and, by fostering partnerships with customers, suppliers, and communities, we aim to create a ripple effect of positive change, driving the entire industry towards a more sustainable future.
BA Glass’ recent improvements towards the environment are part of a cohesive strategy that will continue to evolve. This journey goes beyond meeting specific goals – it is about rethinking how we operate at every level, forging a path to a greener future.
