Ciner Glass Backs ResponsibleGlass at Belgium Plant, Supporting a New Global Standard for Sustainable Glass
Ciner Glass has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable glass production by supporting ResponsibleGlass, the first global sustainability certification programme for the entire glass value chain, at its developing next generation container glass plant in Lommel.
Ciner Glass is currently building a multimillion pound, state-of-the-art glass manufacturing facility in Lommel, Belgium, which represents a major investment in the future of glass manufacturing.
Designed as a highly efficient, next generation container glass plant, the site is being developed with a strong focus on reducing environmental impact, maximising resource efficiency and embedding circularity at the heart of operations. This includes optimised furnace design, increased use of recycled glass (cullet), advanced emission reduction technologies and a long term pathway aligned with the sector’s decarbonisation goals.
Against this backdrop, Ciner Glass is proud to support ResponsibleGlass — an independent, multi stakeholder initiative aimed at creating clear, credible and auditable sustainability standards across the entire glass value chain, from raw material sourcing and production to recycling and end use.
The leadership of ResponsibleGlass recently visited the Lommel site to engage with Ciner Glass as construction progresses, highlighting Belgium’s role in shaping the next chapter of sustainable glass production in Europe.
Following the launch of the ResponsibleGlass initiative last year, a multi stakeholder Council has now been established, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers and major glass users across sectors ranging from automotive to soda ash production. This Council is already progressing the development of the ResponsibleGlass standard, Version 1.0 of which will be published later this year and will provide the industry with a clear, practical blueprint for responsible glass production and a pathway toward a globally recognised and trusted standard.
Despite being an essential material across packaging, construction, automotive and renewable energy applications, glass production remains energy intensive and is responsible for an estimated 95 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions globally each year. Unlike sectors such as steel or forestry, glass has until now lacked a globally recognised sustainability certification framework.
ResponsibleGlass aims to change this by developing an independent and auditable certification system that covers emissions reduction, circularity, worker health and safety, and responsible sourcing of raw materials across flat, container and speciality glass.
Francis Sullivan, Chair of ResponsibleGlass, said: “Launched at a time when collaboration is key, ResponsibleGlass is built on a multi stakeholder approach where industry insight meets environmental accountability,” This model has already proven effective in other hard to abate sectors. By working with committed manufacturers such as Ciner Glass, we can build a transparent, credible framework that drives meaningful change across the entire glass value chain.”
Jeroen Bloemen, Corporate Affairs Manager at Ciner Glass Belgium, said: “Ciner Glass is committed to building glass manufacturing capacity that meets the expectations of the future — not just in terms of efficiency and scale, but also transparency and responsibility,” said “Glass is inherently a circular material, but sustainability cannot be taken for granted. Clear standards, accountability and continuous improvement are essential, which is why ResponsibleGlass is so important for our industry.”
For Ciner Glass, supporting ResponsibleGlass complements the company’s broader approach in Belgium. Combining investment in modern, efficient production with a willingness to engage openly on sustainability performance and sector wide improvement. As customers, regulators and investors increasingly demand clarity on environmental and social impact, initiatives like ResponsibleGlass offer a common language and benchmark for progress.
ResponsibleGlass brings together founding members and partners from across the world and operating in a range of industries which glass is integral toward. Members include ARUP, Belron, Glass Futures, Jaguar, Climate Group, IRMA, NSG Group, Stara Glass, WE Soda and Ciner Glass, alongside a growing group of supporting partners from across the global glass ecosystem.
If widely adopted, ResponsibleGlass could represent a turning point for the sector — providing the transparency, consistency and collaboration needed to accelerate the transition to more sustainable glass production worldwide