Decarbonising the Glass Sector: Building an Evidence Base

IDRIC’s sector-specific workshop on the glass sector was held online on 18^th February 2026, discussing techno-economic barriers, opportunities, and policy recommendations for the sector in its transition to low-carbon technologies. Attendees were UK-wide industry stakeholders across flat glass, container glass, and glass wool manufacturers. This document is a summary of the discussions held at the workshop, including key barriers, opportunities and policy recommendations. The workshop formed part of a wider report and related research activity in IDRIC’s policy work on harder-to-abate sectors.

The UK glass sector is motivated to decarbonise and is engaged in exploring a range of decarbonisation technologies and pathways. Whilst further research and innovation may be needed for full decarbonisation, many of the core technical solutions already exist such as electric furnaces, hybrid systems and alternative fuels. The main barriers are now economic rather than technical. High costs and investment risks inhibit UK deployment as participants highlighted that the transition to low-carbon technologies is taking place in countries where conditions are most favourable. The UK faces structurally higher fuel and electricity costs as electricity and alternative fuels remain significantly more expensive than natural gas, both in absolute terms and relative to other manufacturing countries. Financial barriers mean firms difficulty securing capital for long-lived assets in an uncertain policy environment.

The funding gap between the UK and the EU was a consistent theme throughout the workshop. European competitors benefit from stronger support for electrification, innovation and energy-intensive industries through schemes such as the EU Innovation Fund.

There was a universal call for joined-up, cross-government, policy. The sector’s business case depends not only on carbon policy but also on energy pricing, innovation funding, planning, waste regulation and trade measures.

Several participants warned that without a coordinated strategy and targeted support, the UK risks losing parts of its glass industry altogether. The full workshop summary explores these issues in more detail and sets out practical recommendations discussed in the workshop to support a competitive, low-carbon future for the UK Glass sector.

A detailed summary can be found below.