Glass packaging has the lowest risk for harming the environment and human health compared with plastic, paper and metal, especially for packaging processed foods and beverages, according to PE International's study of India's glass industry

LOS ANGELES , May 15, 2012 (Industry Intelligence) – In packaging, glass has the greatest green potential and the lowest global warming risk, particularly for packing processed foods and beverages, according to a new study of India’s glass industry, reported The Hindu Business Line on May 15.



The study, done by Germany-based consultant PE International AG and released on May 14, compared glass with plastic, paper and metal in the first-ever lifecycle assessment of glass in India.



Glass is the best suited packaging material to “retain product quality,” is the least harmful to the environment, and is “endlessly recyclable,” said Juergen Stichling, global director for PE International, The Hindu Business Line reported.



The industry is taking steps to improve the green credentials of glass, including cutting glass weight by 5% to 20% via new technology, raising recycling to 50% from 35%, and using more natural gas instead of oil for fuel, said Mukul Somany, president of the All India Glass Manufacturers’ Federation.



Also, raising the use of recycled glass in India to 75% from 35% currently will lower the Indian glass industry’s carbon footprint by nearly 40%, Stichling said, reported The Hindu Business Line.



India, which is among the top 15 world markets for glass, has a glass packaging industry valued at more than 60 billion rupees (US$1.1 billion). However, plastic is the preferred material in India for packaging processed food and beverages, with a 48% share, followed by paper, metal and glass.



The glass lifecycle study collected data from 28 furnaces representing 72% of India’s glass output. It was commissioned by the Federation, led by companies such as Hindusthan National Glass & Industries Ltd., Piramal Glass Ltd., Vitrium Glass Tile Inc. and AGI Glaspac, a subsidiary of HSIL Ltd., The Hindu Business Line reported.



The primary source of this article is The Hindu Business Line, Chennai, India, on May 15, 2012.