Conference programme announced for 20th Furnace Solutions Conference

Taking place in St Helens, UK, on 3–4 June 2026, the event will explore the theme ‘Decarbonisation: What’s the Reality?’. Global experts from across the glass supply chain will present to an international audience of glassmakers, end users and suppliers, addressing the latest challenges and opportunities shaping a more sustainable future for the industry.

With delegate registration now open, the provisional technical programme includes:

• - Oxygen and electricity experience as decarbonisation tools (AGC)
• - Using  AI to improve glass batch detection: A case study (Ametek Land)
• - How green can we go? The reality of refractory manufacture in the net zero era (DSF Refractories & Minerals)
• - Simulating glass decarbonization: Potential vs Reality (Fives Glass)
• - Enabling furnace decarbonisation: Alternative fuel trial developments (Glass Futures)
• - Next-generation electric forehearth technology for low-carbon glass forming (Glass Service S.r.l.)
• - Oxy-gas combustion system: An efficient and sustainable solution for glass industry decarbonisation (Glass Service S.r.l.)
• - Spent foundry sands as a secondary raw material for glassmaking (Glass Technology Services) 
• - Glass composition / Process / Bottle Design / Post-treatment; and the projects dedicated to each of these pillars (L'Oréal)
• - Hybrid furnace for flat glass decarbonation: Volta mid-sized pilot (Saint Gobain) 
• - Profitable & low carbon glass manufacturing (Schneider Electric)
• - Soldier block corrosion profile simulation, a tool to understand the impact of low carbon melting process evolution (SEFPRO)
• - Why the future grid needs glass furnaces to be flexible in this power supercycle (Sheffield Hallam University)
• - Contributing state-of-the-art technology for decarbonisation (SORG)
• - LIFE SUGAR project: pilot test results (Stara Glass)

Complementing the technical programme, delegates will also benefit from a range of networking opportunities, including a grand civic reception and dinner at St Helens Town Hall as well as a tour of the Glass Futures R&D Innovation Centre.

With limited spaces available for this special anniversary event, interested participants are encouraged to secure their place by registering as soon as possible. Sponsorship and tabletop exhibition opportunities are also available on request. 

Recent Furnace Solutions conferences have attracted senior personnel from leading global glassmakers including AGC, Ardagh, Beatson Clark, Encirc, Euroglas, Guardian, Knauf, Nippon Electric Glass, NSG Pilkington, O-I, Saint-Gobain, Saverglass, Sisecam, Stoelzle, Verallia, Vidrala, Vitro and many more.