Asahi India Glass Limited (AIS), a leading glass manufacturer in India, and INOX Air Products (INOXAP), the largest producer of industrial and medical gases in India, have forged a 20-year agreement for the supply of Green Hydrogen to AIS's new float glass facility in Soniyana, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. This marks the establishment of India's inaugural Green Hydrogen Plant dedicated to the Float Glass industry, ushering in an era of sustainable glass production. With a capacity to produce up to 190 tons of Green Hydrogen annually through electrolysis, the plant is set to commence operations by July 2024 and will be powered by solar energy.

INOXAP will oversee the design, engineering, installation, operations, and uninterrupted provision of Green Hydrogen to the AIS facility over a 20-year period. Initially, 95 tons per annum (TPA) of Green Hydrogen will be supplied to AIS in the first phase. As part of the agreement, AIS will make investments in a solar power plant to provide renewable energy for Green Hydrogen generation, which will be utilized in AIS's float glass manufacturing process.

Commenting on the development, Rupinder Shelly, COO-Architectural Glass at Asahi India Glass Ltd, expressed, “As a leading and conscientious glass enterprise, AIS is deeply committed to sustainability. Our collaboration with INOX Air Products for Green Hydrogen underscores this commitment. It fills us with immense pride that AIS's Soniyana Float Glass facility will be the first in India's Float Glass industry to be powered by Green Hydrogen. AIS remains dedicated to investing in and fostering capabilities in Sustainability, Circularity, and Decarbonization. Our new plant at Soniyana aims to fulfill 94% of its energy needs through environmentally friendly and sustainable sources. Apart from solar power investments, AIS is also venturing into generating electricity from flue gases before their release through chimneys. This groundbreaking initiative not only mirrors our shared vision for a more sustainable future but also bolsters India's stature as a global frontrunner in renewable energy adoption.”

AIS is establishing a new project in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, to produce top-tier float glass intended for automotive and architectural applications, leveraging technology collaboration with its partners, AGC Europe. The arrangement with INOX Air Products to establish a Green Hydrogen plant for this endeavor aligns with AIS's comprehensive sustainability strategy and reflects their commitment to minimizing carbon emissions in the glass manufacturing process.

In response to the milestone, Siddharth Jain, Managing Director of INOX Air Products, remarked, “We are delighted to embark on our Green Hydrogen journey through our collaboration with AIS for their Chittorgarh facility, marking the inception of our inaugural Green Hydrogen Plant and India's first-ever Green Hydrogen plant for the Float Glass industry. This advancement is poised to substantially decrease CO2 emissions, with an estimated reduction of 1250 metric tons per annum. AIS's confidence in our capabilities underscores our proficiency in safety, technology, and project management. Green Hydrogen is set to play a crucial role in India's transition to decarbonization and in securing energy for our nation and the globe. Guided by the strong leadership of Indian Government, India has prioritized green economy initiatives, bolstered by the comprehensive National Green Hydrogen Mission and the ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. Embracing green growth is imperative, and we are fully dedicated to fostering significant sustainability within India's manufacturing sector.”