Inauguration of Revolutionary Volta Flat Glass Production Line

On 12 February 2025, AGC and Saint-Gobain officially inaugurated the Volta production line in the presence of local authorities, stakeholders and representatives of both companies. Volta, at the AGC Barevka plant in Dubí, is a breakthrough pilot project aiming to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and support the transition to sustainable flat glass production. The pilot furnace uses an innovative glass production technology that has never been used in the world before. This is an exceptionally large R&D investment of both companies, which was financially supported by the European Union’s Innovation Fund.

The Volta R&D project, supported by the EU Innovation Fund, includes the reconstruction of the production line in Dubí. The line will be 50% electrified and 50% fired by a combination of oxygen and gas, allowing for a significant reduction in direct carbon emissions. The new technology also focuses on circularity as the Volta hybrid melting furnace will operate at a higher ratio of recycled materials much higher than the industry standards.

The Volta project, a cooperation between AGC and Saint-Gobain, combines the technical know-how and innovative approaches of both companies. The two companies share the ambition to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and contribute to a faster transition towards clean technologies.

For AGC Barevka, with a tradition dating back to 1912, the investment not only enables the modernisation of technology but also contributes to further employment and ensures the future production of patterned glass in Dubí (Czech Republic).

Yoshinori Hirai, President & CEO of AGC: "The new hybrid line for the production of patterned glass in Dubí will not only significantly reduce CO₂ emissions but will also increase the energy efficiency of our production. The Volta Project is a major step on our journey towards carbon neutrality and demonstrates our commitment to innovation and sustainability."

Further details on the Volta project’s webpage on
https://www.agc-glass.eu/en/sustainability/hybrid-mid-sized-pilot-furnace-for-flat-glass

The "Volta" R&D project is funded by the Innovation Fund of the European Union*.

(*) Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

About Barevka plant

The Barevka production plant, with 110 employees, was founded in 1912 and from the very beginning it produced its famous wired glass and patterned glass of many colours (hence the name “Barevka” that can be translated as “a colouring site” in Czech). In 1948 the plant had the most modern production of patterned glass in Europe. In 1982, completely new lines were built after a huge fire destroyed the entire processing plant. Barevka is the only plant within AGC Glass Europe producing patterned glass. Thanks to the Volta Project, it is now pioneering the decarbonisation of the glass industry in Europe and has the potential to become a model for sustainable glass production and inspire similar initiatives around the world.

Patterned glass is decorative glass whose pattern and texture is moulded into one or both sides of a pane of clear glass. It is well suited for applications where privacy is required but where light can also penetrate. Depending on the pattern and thickness, it can be thermally toughened, laminated, sandblasted or set in insulating double glazing. Patterned glass can be used in interior applications including shower enclosures, partitions, kitchen doors and other furniture applications and exterior applications such as doors, windows and glass façades.