ACCIONA Energía and Vidrala reuse biomass slag to make bottles

ACCIONA Energía and Vidrala, a leading company in the design and production of glass packaging, implemented an innovative pilot project to reuse biomass waste to produce 18.3 million glass bottles.

In total, the companies reused 230 tons of biomass slag (a general term for ash, slag and dust) generated during the combustion process to produce renewable electricity at the Briviesca biomass plant (Burgos).

Biomass slag has a high silica content and is one of the most commonly used materials for glass production. Thus, its use has reduced the amount of quartz sand used, as well as replaced some of the sodium carbonate, a compound traditionally used to lower the melting point of glass melt, making it easier to make and reducing its environmental footprint. To this end, numerous research tests have been carried out on slag treatment, which has maintained the strength and durability characteristics of conventional bottles. The slag processing took place in Asturias, and the bottle production took place in the Basque Country, at the Ayala Vidrio factory in Llodio (Bizkaia).

The reuse of biomass slag contributes to ACCIONA Energy’s goal of giving a second life to waste and by-products generated from its operations, while promoting a circular economy and reducing CO2 emissions during the construction process, an outstanding example of industrial symbiosis between the two. enterprises. All ACCIONA Energy biomass plants are certified by Bureau Veritas “Zero Waste Management (minimizing waste to landfill)”, which encourages targeted and adequate waste management, thereby avoiding it going to landfill, using it as a resource.

For its part, this project contributes to strengthening Vidrala’s position as a leader in industrial sustainability, while promoting innovation and the circular economy.