Asahi India Glass Limited (AIS), India’s leading glass manufacturer, and INOX Air Products (INOXAP), India’s largest manufacturer of industrial and medical gases, have entered into a 20-year offtake agreement for the supply of Green Hydrogen, to AIS’ greenfield float glass facility in Soniyana in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. This will be India’s first-ever Green Hydrogen Plant for the Float Glass industry, paving the way for sustainable glass production.

Mainly, the Plant will have the capacity to generate up to 190 Tons of Green Hydrogen per annum through electrolysis process. Slated to be commissioned by July 2024, the plant will be powered by solar energy.

First Green Plant in Float Glass Industry in India

Primarily, INOXAP designs, engineers, installs, operates, and supplies Green Hydrogen to the AIS facility for 20 years. In the first phase, INOXAP will supply 95 TPA Green Hydrogen to AIS. As a part of the agreement, AIS will invest in the solar power plant. Meanwhile, the solar plant will supply renewable energy for the generation of Green Hydrogen. This, in turn, will supply AIS’ float glass manufacturing process.

Speaking on the occasion, Rupinder Shelly, COO-Architectural Glass, Asahi India Glass Ltd, said, “As a leading and responsible glass company, AIS is a strong believer in sustainability. Our partnership with INOX Air Products for Green Hydrogen underlines the same belief. It is a matter of immense pride that AIS’ Soniyana Float Glass facility will be the first-ever plant in the Float Glass industry in India to be powered by Green Hydrogen. AIS continues to invest in and build capabilities in Sustainability, Circularity, and De-carbonization.

“Our greenfield plant at Soniyana targets to use 94% of its power requirements through green and sustainable energy sources,” Shelly continued.

Reinforcing India’s Position in Renewable Energy

Also, aside from investment in solar power, AIS is investing to generate electricity from flue gases before releasing through chimney. Mainly, this pioneering initiative exemplifies its shared vision for a greener future. Also, it reinforces India’s position as a global leader in renewable energy adoption.

Further, AIS is setting up a greenfield project in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. It will manufacture high-quality float glass for automotive and architectural purposes. For this purpose, it will collaborate with technologies from its partner – AGC Europe.

Primarily, this agreement for setting up a Green Hydrogen plant is part of AIS’ overall sustainability strategy. Also, their vision to reduce carbon footprint in the glass manufacturing process inspires this move.

Commenting on the development, Siddharth Jain, Managing Director – INOX Air Products, stated, “We are proud to begin our Green Hydrogen journey as we partner with AIS for their Chittorgarh facility. Also, it gives shape to our first Green Hydrogen Plant as well as India’s first-ever Green Hydrogen plant for the Float Glass sector. This development would substantially reduce CO₂ emissions with a reduction of 1250 MTPA. Mainly, the trust by AIS in our capabilities is a testament to our expertise in safety, technology and project management.”

Particularly, Green Hydrogen will play a pivotal role in India’s energy transition towards de-carbonization. Also, it will secure energy for the country as well as the planet. Under the strong leadership of PM Modi, India has laid tremendous focus on Green Economy, supported by a comprehensive National Green Hydrogen Mission and an ambition to make India net-zero by 2070. “Green Growth is the way forward. Along this line, we are firmly committed to driving significant sustainability in India’s manufacturing sector.”

-13 May 2024-