Asahi India Glass signs 20-year pact with INOX Air Products for offtake of Green Hydrogen

Mumbai: Asahi India Glass Limited (AIS) and INOX Air Products (INOXAP) have entered into a 20-year offtake agreement for the supply of Green Hydrogen to AIS’s 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, said a statement on May 7. The plant will have the capacity to generate up to 190 tonnes of Green Hydrogen per annum through electrolysis. Slated to get commissioned by July 2024, the plant will be powered by solar energy.

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“INOXAP is responsible for the design, engineering, installation, operations and a continuous supply of Green Hydrogen to the AIS facility for 20 years. In the first phase, 95 TPA Green Hydrogen will be supplied to AIS. As a part of the agreement, AIS will invest in the solar power plant, which would supply renewable energy for the generation of Green Hydrogen, which would be consumed in AIS’s float glass manufacturing process,” said the statement.

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’s 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-carbonisation. Our greenfield plant at Soniyana targets to use 94 percent of its power requirements through green and sustainable energy sources. In addition to investment in solar power, AIS is investing in generating electricity from flue gases before releasing them through the chimney. This pioneering initiative not only exemplifies our shared vision for a greener future but also reinforces India’s position as a global leader in renewable energy adoption.”

AIS is setting up a greenfield project in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan for manufacturing high-quality float glass to be used for automotive and architectural purposes with technology collaboration from its partners - AGC Europe. The agreement with INOX Air Products for setting up a Green Hydrogen plant for this project is a part of AIS’s overall sustainability strategy, and is inspired by their vision to reduce carbon footprint in the glass manufacturing process.

Commenting on the development, Siddharth Jain, Managing Director, INOX Air Products, stated, “We are proud to begin our Green Hydrogen journey as we partner AIS for their Chittorgarh facility, and giving 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 1,250 MTPA. The trust shown by AIS in our capabilities is a testament to our expertise in safety, technology and project management. Green Hydrogen will play a pivotal role in India’s energy transition towards decarbonisation and secure energy for our country as well as the planet. Under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our country has laid tremendous focus on a 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, and we are firmly committed to driving significant sustainability in India’s manufacturing sector.”

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