CINER GLASS

The Challenge

To support the European beverage industry’s growing demand for sustainable packaging, Ciner Glass initiated the development of a state-of-the-art glass bottle manufacturing facility in Lommel, Belgium. Strategically located in the heart of Europe and close to major clients such as AB InBev, Heineken, and Coca-Cola, the site also benefits from access to high-quality local sand. The challenge was to design and deliver a large-scale industrial complex that meets the highest standards of energy efficiency, environmental performance, and operational flexibility—on a site with demanding process requirements and sustainability ambitions.

The Solution

Tractebel provided full multidisciplinary engineering services for this pioneering greenfield project, covering MEP and process design, structural engineering, infrastructure (including roads, apron, and sewerage), and energy performance compliance. The facility spans 240,000 m² and includes two innovative end-fired melting furnaces equipped with waste heat recovery systems, significantly reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. Additional investments in residual heat boilers, absorption chillers, and on-site renewable energy sources (solar and wind) further enhance the plant’s sustainability. Rainwater ponds were also integrated to supply clean water for process, domestic use, and irrigation, reinforcing the site’s circular water strategy.

The Impact

The Lommel glass factory sets a new benchmark in the European glass manufacturing sector, combining industrial scale with environmental responsibility. Once fully operational, it will be one of the lowest-emission facilities in its category, contributing to the decarbonization of packaging supply chains. Tractebel’s integrated engineering approach ensured the delivery of a future-proof facility that supports local production, reduces transport-related emissions, and strengthens Europe’s sustainable industrial base.
.