Asahi India Glass Limited (AIS), one of India’s leading glass manufacturers, and INOX Air Products (INOXAP), the largest Indian manufacturer of industrial and medical gases, have signed a 20-year supply agreement for green hydrogen at AIS’s floating glass facility in Soniyana, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. This collaboration marks the establishment of India’s first green hydrogen plant for the floating glass industry, paving the way for sustainable glass production.
The green hydrogen plant will have the capacity to produce up to 190 tons of green hydrogen per year through the electrolysis process. Powered by solar energy, the plant is expected to commence operations in July 2024.
Under the agreement, INOXAP will be responsible for the design, engineering, installation, operation, and continuous supply of green hydrogen to the AIS facility for 20 years. In the initial phase, 95 tons per annum (TPA) of green hydrogen will be supplied to AIS.
AIS is committed to sustainability and aims to utilize 94% of its energy requirements from renewable sources at its Soniyana facility. In addition to investing in solar energy, AIS is also exploring generating electricity from combustion gases before their release into the atmosphere. This initiative aligns with AIS’s vision of a greener future and strengthens India’s position as a global leader in renewable energy adoption.
Siddharth Jain, CEO of INOX Air Products, expressed pride in this collaboration, stating that it would significantly reduce CO2 emissions by 1,250 metric tons per annum. He highlighted India’s strong focus on green economy, evident in the nation’s comprehensive mission on green hydrogen and ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
The partnership between AIS and INOXAP for a green hydrogen plant is part of AIS’s overall sustainability strategy and is driven by their vision to reduce the carbon footprint in glass manufacturing.
INOX Air Products is the largest manufacturer of industrial and medical gases in India, providing a wide range of gas products, equipment, and services to various industries. With a massive manufacturing capacity and a diverse customer ecosystem, INOX Air Products enables over 1,800 manufacturing organizations of all sizes to achieve their goals.
Asahi India Glass Ltd (AIS) is a leading Indian integrated glass and window solutions company and a prominent player in the automotive and architectural glass segments.
Together, AIS and INOX Air Products are spearheading the adoption of green hydrogen in India’s glass industry, establishing new benchmarks for sustainability and contributing to the country’s clean energy transition.
Adding additional facts not mentioned in the article:
1. Green hydrogen is produced through the process of electrolysis, which involves using electricity generated from renewable sources, such as solar energy, to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
2. The use of green hydrogen in the glass industry can contribute to significant reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as hydrogen combustion only produces water vapor as a byproduct.
Current market trends and forecasts:
1. The global green hydrogen market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing efforts to decarbonize various industries and achieve climate goals. According to a report by Wood Mackenzie, the global green hydrogen market could reach 2.8 million metric tons by 2030, with an estimated annual investment of $11 billion.
2. India has set ambitious targets for green hydrogen adoption, aiming to have 10% blending of hydrogen in the city gas distribution network by 2030. The government is also developing a national hydrogen mission and providing incentives for the establishment of green hydrogen projects.
Key challenges and controversies:
1. One key challenge associated with green hydrogen is the cost of production. Currently, green hydrogen is more expensive to produce compared to fossil fuel-based hydrogen. However, with technological advancements and scale-up of production, the cost is expected to decrease over time.
2. Another challenge is the development of necessary infrastructure, including electrolyzers and hydrogen distribution networks. Significant investments are required to build a robust hydrogen infrastructure that can support widespread adoption in industries.
Advantages and disadvantages of green hydrogen:
Advantages:
– Green hydrogen is a clean and renewable source of energy, with zero emissions when used.
– It can be used as a versatile energy carrier, powering various sectors such as transportation, industry, and power generation.
– The production of green hydrogen can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to energy security.
Disadvantages:
– The current cost of green hydrogen production is relatively high compared to conventional fuels.
– Developing the necessary infrastructure for large-scale production and distribution of green hydrogen is a significant challenge.
– The electrolysis process used to produce green hydrogen requires a significant amount of energy, which should ideally come from renewable sources to ensure the environmental benefits.
Suggested related links:
– Green Hydrogen in India – A Strategic Analysis
– Hydrogen Potential in India’s Energy Transition
– Green Hydrogen Costs to Match Grey Hydrogen by 2030, says Wood Mackenzie