Principles for good bottle bank collection

Closed-loop recycling is the cornerstone of Europe’s circular economy, and glass is uniquely positioned as a material that can be recycled infinitely without losing its quality, as long as it remains clean and properly sorted. Close the Glass Loop has published it's latest reference document: Principles for Good Bottle Bank Collection of Glass Packaging.

These Principles provide practical, evidence-based guidance for municipalities, waste management operators, extended producer responsibility schemes, recyclers, and the wider public to:

• Effectively handle glass packaging between the bottle bank and the glass recycling facility;
• Ensure the high quality of the collected glass material sent for recycling by minimising processing, crushing, contamination and losses;
• Implement best practices for collection, transportation, storage, communication and citizen mobilisation.

By applying the Principles for Good Bottle Bank Collection, stakeholders can optimise the predominant
European collection model and strengthen the closed-loop recycling of glass packaging in support of Close the Glass Loop’s goal to improve and increase the glass packaging collection for recycling in Europe.

Is glass losing out to plastic in UK waste legislation?

In recent years, the UK Government has been rolling out four major policies set to reshape the waste industry. But could these well-intentioned reforms have an unintended side effect, driving a shift towards more plastic? In this episode of the Talking Rubbish podcast, the hosts explore how Extended Producer Responsibility and the future Deposit Return Scheme could change the packaging choices brands make, and what that might mean for the products on supermarket shelves. 

Link to the Talking Rubbish episode

Link to the British Glass news item

HTML – a new glass lab – launched

5 March saw the official launch of the High-T Materials Lab (HTML), a new joint laboratory between LaMaV (UFSCar) and GEOLAB (Beihang University).

The ceremony was followed by a meeting on natural glasses, where Brazilian dacite glass, Mexican obsidians, and "geraisito" – the very first tektite found in Brazil was discussed.

In this historical photo above (L to R): Professors Fabio Andrade (USP, natural glasses), Don Dingwell (GEOLAB Director), Valdecir Janasi (USP, natural glasses), Vlad Fokin (LaMaV, crystallization), Oscar Peitl (LaMaV, bioglasses), Ed Zanotto (LaMaV Director), Marcio Nascimento (UFBa, viscous flow), Rafael Rosante (LaMaV ML student), Edu Ferreira (USP, sintering), and Ana Rodrigues (LaMaV, electrical properties). They are joined in the back by Professors Alvaro Crósta (UNICAMP, who discovered the Brazilian tectites), Prof. Henrik Bradtmuller (USP, NMR) and several LaMaV students and post-docs! (Not pictured: Luiz Pereira, GEOLAB).

Big News for Glass Art in Africa

MAGN, or Moya, was established as a Non-Profit Company to support and grow glass art in Africa. For it’s first anniversary and there is big news for glass art in Africa to share. 

Glass Safari 2026

The 2026 Glass Safari promises to be a big one. There is a full programme lined up during July with several workshops involving students from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), local designers and artists, and international guests.

The Glass Safari kicks off at Smelt Glass Studio with renowned South African glassmaker David Reade, who will collaborate with local artists and designers.

Then, it’s off to Ngwenya Glass in Eswatini for an intense creative session on the factory floor collaborating with our international guests, and working with the skilled factory teams in front of their newly built furnace. Ngwenya Glass is famed for their use of 100% recycled glass, and this workshop offers a challenge to realise concepts with local designers and artists. The aim of this workshop is to develop new product ranges and strengthen sustainable glass practices.

The last week will be spent at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Glass Studio. International guests are encouraged to work in teams with the students, sharing their skills, and the fundamentals of team work. Several public talks and presentations are planned during this time to complement the sharing of knowledge and understanding of the global creative glass industry.

The Glass Safari concludes with an exhibition at the Association of Arts in Pretoria, opening on Saturday the 25th of July. Collectors and art lovers have the opportunity to acquire unique works from our international guests and local artists. A percentage of the sales is dedicated to support MAGN’s objectives.

Glass insulators form art installation

Le Bout du Bout is a monumental outdoor installation located at the Vitry‑sur‑Seine operations centre for Line 15 of the Grand Paris Express. It was designed by artist Stéphane Thidet in collaboration with architect Marc Barani. The work takes the form of a long, suspended filament stretching between tall masts, echoing the industrial and railway vocabulary of the site.

The installation uses 1150 glass insulators suspended by reflective cable across two masts, 29 m and 39 m tall; with cables 57 m, 114 m, and 165 m long.

More information

Analysing Darwin specimens without opening 200-year-old jars

Scientists have successfully analysed Charles Darwin's original specimens from his HMS Beagle voyage (1831 to 1836) to the Galapagos Islands. This was achieved without opening their 200-year-old preservation jars.

The study examined 46 historic specimens at the Natural History Museum, London, including mammals, reptiles, fish, jellyfish, and shrimps collected by Darwin and other naturalists. It was found that traditional preservation methods differed by species and era:mammals and reptiles were typically fixed in formalin and stored in ethanol, while invertebrates might be kept in formalin, buffered solutions, or mixtures containing additives like glycerol.

It also determined the types of glass (or plastic) containers used, providing insights into how storage methods have evolved over time. The listed glasses (Table 2 of the paper) were lead glass, soda–lime and borosilicate.

The research was conducted by a collaboration between:
    the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
    the Natural History Museum
    Agilent Technologies

Researchers used a portable laser spectroscopy method called Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) to peer through glass and identify the chemical composition of preservation fluids. SORS performs chemical analysis by shining a laser light into a container and inspecting the changes in wavelength that occur when the light is reflected. SORS, originally developed at STFC’s Central Laser Facility, is the same technique which is used in airport scanners all over the world through Agilent Technologies.

There are over 100 million fluid-preserved specimens housed in museums worldwide. For collection curators, knowing the exact composition of preservation fluids is essential for monitoring specimen condition. The ability to analyse preservation fluids non-invasively offers conservators and curators a new tool for monitoring collection health and intervening before problems arise.

The study has been published in ACS Omega.

REIMAGINING PREHISTORY – The Titan Collection

Each sculpture in The Titan Collection by Garmezy Glass is meticulously formed in luminous glass, capturing not just bones but the power and mystery of ancient life. The reimagined full-sized Dakotaraptor fossil made entirely of glass will be premiered at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in January 2026.

The Dakotaraptor Project brings to life one of North America’s largest predators. Every bone is meticulously crafted to capture the strength, motion and presence of a creature that once ruled its world. The fossil record leaves much to interpretation, as details like feathers and posture remain a matter of scientific debate. This uncertainty mirrors the artistry of the project itself, where each form is a choice, a vision, and a reimagining of prehistory.

Vitro Architectural Glass investigates LionGlass for windows

LionGlass may soon be developed for windows and windshields, thanks to a new partnership between Penn State University and North America’s largest architectural glass manufacturer Vitro Architectural Glass. The company signed a multi-year research agreement to scale up the new, patent-pending glass technology for use in flat glass applications across architectural and automotive markets.

“Partnering with Penn State gives us access to world-class materials science expertise and a deep legacy of innovation in glass research,” said Adam Polcyn, vice president of research and development at Vitro Architectural Glass. “This team’s collaborative spirit and technical excellence make them an ideal partner for advancing the future of glass.”

The three year project will focus on adapting LionGlass for the float process. Used in windows, windshields and solar panels, flat glass is the largest segment of the global glass industry, making this collaboration a major step forward in commercialising LionGlass at scale, said John Mauro, co-inventor of LionGlass and head of the department of materials science and engineering at Penn State.

“This is more than just a research agreement,” he said. “It’s a partnership that could redefine how glass is made — and it’s happening right here in Pennsylvania.”

Scholarships for Workshops at the International Summer Academy Bild-Werk Frauenau

For the year 2026, the Alexander Tutsek-Stiftung will for the fifth time award up to ten scholarships for participation in a workshop at the International Summer Academy Bild-Werk Frauenau. In this way, the foundation would like to support budding artists who work with the medium of glass and make it easier for them to start their careers.

The workshops are led by internationally renowned artists and enable the fellows to expand their professional knowledge and develop artistically through encounters and intensive exchange. The focus is on working with hot and cold glass, complemented by traditional and new design methods, especially in the visual arts. The scholarship enables the artists to experiment with glass and to develop and realise their own designs within the framework of the course.

Bild-Werk Frauenau in the Bavarian Forest is one of the most important international forums for glass and visual arts and is known worldwide for its creative exchange atmosphere and specific artistic profile.

The scholarships, endowed with 2500 euros, are awarded to artists who, at the time of their application, have graduated from an art academy or completed their artistic training at a glass college or university of applied sciences within the last five years.

The deadline for applications (per email) is November 26, 2025

Further information

Verallia taps LionGlass for low-carbon glass packaging for consumer products

Verallia has entered into a research partnership with Penn State to scale up the use of LionGlass for use in consumer packaging.

“LionGlass offers a promising alternative to conventional soda lime silicate glass,” said Corinne Payen, director of glass innovation for Verallia. “It melts at temperatures much lower than traditional glass, which saves energy and eliminates the use of carbon-based raw materials, potentially halving the carbon footprint of glass manufacturing.”

LionGlass melts at temperatures up to 400°C lower than conventional glass and eliminates direct carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by removing carbonates from the glass formula. It also offers enhanced crack resistance and durability, in some cases up to ten times stronger than conventional glass.

“Worldwide, glass manufacturing produces over 86 million tons of CO₂ annually,” said John Mauro, professor and department head of materials science and engineering at Penn State and co-inventor of LionGlass. “LionGlass not only reduces emissions during production but also offers superior mechanical performance — up to 10 times more crack-resistant than standard glass — which could allow for lighter packaging and further reduce transportation-related emissions.”

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a corporate climate action organization, recently validated Verallia’s long-term Net Zero 2040 trajectory according to its Net Zero Standard. The company, which operates 35 glass production facilities across 12 countries, has committed to reducing its CO₂ emissions by 90% and offsetting the other 10%, making it the first global producer of glass packaging for food and beverages to commit to the Net Zero trajectory for 2040, Payen explained.

Global Glass Collective

Global Glass Collective is a movement, a cooperative with a shared goal: a call for the glass container industry to wake up, come together and speak to the world. Taking on other packaging materials such as plastic and aluminium.

Shaping the narrative: "For too long, we’ve been letting other materials get ahead. Fragmented industry messaging has diluted our impact and handed narrative control to competitors."

Responsible Glass sustainability standards

Responsible Glass is a sector specific, multi-stakeholder, sustainability standards programme for glass.

While other key materials like timber, steel and aluminium have established global standards and certification schemes (the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for timber and fibre, ResponsibleSteel and the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI)) the glass industry lacks a single, independent, global framework to address these challenges holistically. This absence makes it more difficult for consumers and businesses to make informed, responsible choices.

Responsible Glass proposes: "This is not a task for one organisation or one part of the glass sector alone. True change requires collaboration and a deep and broad understanding of the opportunities and challenges that the sector faces.

"We are calling on all organisations in the glass value chain: from sand producers to glass manufacturers to buyers of glass, together with civil society groups, to join us in shaping the future of standards and certification for glass."

The future of glass

New Glass Review46

Submission Deadline: January 13, 2026

Submissions to New Glass Review 46 are now open! A new journey begins to discover how artists are re-imagining glass and its possibilities.

START YOUR SUBMISSION

Glass sector deep dive: How could demand drive low carbon innovation in the glass industry

Leeds celebrates glass recycling success

The first anniversary of a recycling service delivered by Leeds City Council has seen nearly 12,000 tonnes of glass collected by residents across the city through their green bins. That equates to over two million wine bottles per month and has helped save 464 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂e). It has also helped increase glass recycling levels in Leeds from 48 to 75%.

The council works with contractor HW Martin to sort the glass at its Leeds plant, with over 85% of it being remelted at facilities in Yorkshire to produce new bottles and jars ready for reuse within a month.

The collection service is for any colour of glass bottle or jars, including those for wine, spirits, beer, pop, jam, sauces, coffee jars and spreads. Caps, lids and labels can be left on ready for collection. As part of the Leeds approach to make recycling as simple and easy as possible from home, all glass bottle and jars can go in the green bin; along with paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, foil and metal cans.

The council is keen to build on the success of the first 12 months by encouraging even more glass to be recycled in green bins. Currently 25 per cent of glass bottles and jars are still needlessly being put in black bins and the council is asking residents to encourage everyone to use their green bins to recycle more.

Another option aside from the green bin is to make use of the extensive network of more than 700 glass recycling banks around the city. Each of these banks is able to hold up to 3,000 bottles and jars. This option is particularly helpful after a party or large gathering to dispose of empty glass, or for those who still prefer to make regular trips to their nearest bottle bank.

While glass bottles and jars can be easily remelted and recycled, a few specialised types -such as oven-proof or Pyrex dishes, lightbulbs, and drinking glasses - require different handling due to their unique melting points. These items can still be given a second life by donating them to a local charity shop or responsibly disposing of them at a household waste recycling centre in Leeds.

Victoria Adams, Marketing and Communications manager, British Glass, said: “British Glass are pleased to see the success of the approach by Leeds and, importantly, how much glass is now being sorted and then remelted into new bottles and jars within the local area.

“We supported Leeds with the launch a year ago and join with the council in thanking residents for their efforts in this first year and we look forward to even more glass being recycled in the year ahead.”

Link to the article

New liquid can simplify hydrogen handling

Making a hydrogen-rich liquid that stays stable at normal temperatures could make hydrogen storage and transport much easier. In fact, there have been efforts to improve hydrogen storage by changing the chemical makeup of current storage materials or by adding substances that help hydrogen release more easily.

One promising area is deep eutectic solvents (DESs), which are mixtures that melt at lower temperatures than their ingredients. This is important for hydrogen storage because DESs can turn solid hydrogen-rich materials into easy-to-handle liquids at much lower temperatures. Until now, though, none of these DESs had used hydride components, which are especially rich in hydrogen and could open up new ways to store more hydrogen in liquid form.

Scientists from the groups of Professors Andreas Züttel at EPFL and Satoshi Horike at Kyoto University have developed the first example of a hydride-based DES: a transparent, stable hydrogen-rich liquid that stays liquid at room temperature. The new DES can contain up to 6.9% hydrogen by weight, exceeding several technical targets for hydrogen storage including those set for 2025 by the US Department of Energy.

To make the new DES, the researchers physically mixed ammonia borane and tetrabutylammonium borohydride in different amounts to determine which combination(s) would stay liquid at room temperature. The right ratio (between 50% and 80% ammonia borane) produced a stable liquid that stayed amorphous, meaning it didn’t form crystals again even at cold temperatures.

Using spectroscopy, the researchers confirmed that the molecules formed strong hydrogen bonds, breaking up their usual solid structure and keeping the mixture liquid down to minus 50°C. Tests showed the new liquid could release hydrogen when heated to just 60°C, much lower than most hydrogen-rich solids. This means hydrogen can be accessed more easily and efficiently, making storage and use much more practical for real-world applications.

European glass packaging recycling collections show solid 80·8% average in 2023

The latest data released by Close the Glass Loop shows that the EU average collection for recycling rate of glass packaging continued to progress, reaching 80·8% in 2023.

Collection volumes remained exceptionally high with more than 12 million tonnes of glass packaging collected for recycling. While the progress is encouraging, further efforts and investments are needed to bring the necessary step change towards achieving the target of 90% glass collection for recycling by 2030. This was the key message from European and national partners of Close the Glass Loop during the launch of the figures.

On a national level, there are positive signals from Portugal and Greece, who increased by 12·6% and 11·1% respectively the total amounts collected compared to 2022, outpacing the volumes placed on the market. Spain also recorded a 7% increase in total collected volumes from 2022, jumping from a 69·9% to a 75·9% glass collection for recycling rate. Finally, Italy, which represents close to 18% of the total market for glass packaging in the EU, surpassed the 90% glass collection for recycling target for the first time.

“Across the value chain there is a strong commitment to keep improving cost-effective separate collection system for glass packaging, both for households and hospitality businesses. Once glass packaging is collected, we estimate that 85% is effectively recycled in a closed loop. This is what gives glass packaging a unique role in Europe’s circular economy”, stated Carlo Pirrone, Secretary General of FEVE – European Container Glass Federation.

“Today’s progress shows that we are moving in the right direction, but there is still untapped potential to collect more glass and supply the glass manufacturing industry. Achieving recycling targets is a minimum, but every additional tonne collected is a valuable resource that helps us close the loop”, added Olivier Deweerdt, Secretary General of FERVER – European Glass Recyclers’ Federation.

“More than 90% of spirits in Europe are sold in glass bottles. We are encouraged by the growth in collection, and spirits producers will continue to support all efforts that can improve collection and recycling to increase the uptake of recycled content in our packaging”, commented Sarah Melina Siebel, Director for Internal Market & Sustainability at spiritsEUROPE.

“In Austria, we have a long-standing commitment to glass collection and recycling, with over 8 million tonnes of glass packaging collected for recycling since 1977. Through this long history of citizen communications and optimising glass collection logistics, on average two-thirds of glass packaging manufactured in Austria is recycled glass”, said Monika Piber, Public Relations Manager at Austria Glas Recycling.

Living sustainably to be theme for new Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science, Mark Miodownik

Transforming our understanding of how we make, use, reuse and recycle products will be the mission for Professor Mark Miodownik, who has been appointed the new Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science.

Material scientist, engineer, broadcaster and award-winning author, Professor Miodownik will use his expertise, along with his talent for making complex ideas clear and relevant, to explore how we can live more sustainably, both as individuals and as a society.

The production and use of materials accounts for more than 40% of global warming emissions. Transforming how we make, use, and recycle the materials and products that are central to modern life will be vital to achieving our Net Zero targets and reducing the risk of dangerous climate change.

Over five years, he will lead a range of public events, schools’ engagement, digital content and partnerships that will connect the products of everyday life, from phones and clothing to food and housing, with the materials that make them possible.

Professor Mark Miodownik says: “Materials have always shaped the course of history, so much so that we even named entire eras of history after them, from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age. But in today’s consumer-driven world, where materials are everywhere and easily taken for granted, their importance is easily overlooked.

“This isn’t about taking away products we rely on; it’s about rethinking how we make and use them. By changing our relationship with materials, we can drive a greener economy, create new jobs and improve lives across communities.

“Researching how to achieve this needs to be done with the public in collaboration with the scientific community, policy makers, economists and more, and with a sense of optimism and creativity.

“Science isn’t done in a bubble. Research shapes the world we live in, and is shaped by the people in it. I’m excited to open up that process, inviting the public in from day one to work together on solutions that will drive a sustainable future.”

2025 MacRobert Award finalists reinforce UK tech leadership status

Innovative hollow core optical fibre technology enabling near-instant data transfer, a life-saving device that enables many more organs to be transplanted, and a human-centric AI platform that generates audio and video from text are the three finalists vying for the 2025 MacRobert Award for UK engineering innovation. The winner will be announced on 8 July.

The 2025 finalists are all successful engineering innovations connected with UK universities, two of which are spinout companies. The hollow core optical fibre technology was developed by Lumenisity, a University of Southampton spinout later acquired by Microsoft. OrganOx’s transportable normothermic organ perfusion device is a world first originating from research at the University of Oxford, and one of the founders of Synthesia’s text-to-video generation business is a professor at University College London.

The MacRobert Award is the longest running and most prestigious prize for UK engineering innovation. Run by the Royal Academy of Engineering, it recognises transformative UK engineering that can also demonstrate commerciality and societal benefit. For over 55 years the MacRobert Award has been building a hall of innovation fame that illustrates the strength, creativity and global impact of British engineering.

Microsoft Azure Fibre: Enabling the next generation of global internet connectivity

Optical fibres transmit 500 billion gigabytes of data every day, supporting global communication, navigation and manufacturing. But the performance of traditional optical fibres, optimised over more than 50 years, has reached the fundamental physical limits of the solid glass making up their core. Microsoft Azure Fibre (formerly Lumenisity) revolutionises the way data is transmitted by replacing the glass core with air. Their hollow core optical fibre technology comprises a central light-guiding cavity surrounded by microscopic, nested glass tubes running the length of the fibre, enabling virtually instantaneous data transfer.

This stable, low-latency innovation dramatically improves the speed of transmission and enhances energy efficiency, needing fewer power-hungry electronic components over longer distances. It will drive a major leap forward in how the internet evolves, enabling more flexible datacentre placement and meeting the growing demand for high-volume data transfer driven by growth in the use of AI. The improved characteristics will enable the development of 6G and edge-computing and other ‘tactile’ applications where response time is key, such as remote medicine where timing is critical for life-saving measures.

The technology represents the most significant advancement in fibre technology since standard solid core fibre, completely transforming perceptions of hollow core optical fibre from a mere curiosity to a game-changer for global communications.

Dr David Parker FREng, former Chair and CEO of Lumenisity and now a Partner and General Manager at Microsoft, reflected on reaching the final. He said “We are delighted to be recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the MacRobert Award as finalists for this prestigious prize and thank them for the honour. Transforming hollow core optical fibre technology from an academic concept at the University of Southampton, achieving world record performance, fully commercialising it as a cable solution with Lumenisity, and now utilising it to enhance the performance and operation within Microsoft Azure’s Cloud Infrastructure, has been an incredible journey for our entire team. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this achievement. Becoming a world leader in this field is a testament to the depth of expertise in engineering innovation here in the UK. We have accomplished so much, and yet we are only at the beginning of the profound impact this technology will have as we define the next generation of the fabric of the internet.”

Professor Franceso Poletti of the University of Southampton will present an invited talk about hollow core optical fibres at the SGT Annual Meeting in Cambridge: Hollow core fibres: when nothing is better than glass! 

Foster + Partners to design national memorial to 
Queen Elizabeth II

Foster + Partners will design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II at the heart of St James’s Park. The practice’s winning design concept celebrates the monarch's life through a time of great change, balancing tradition and modernity, public duty and private faith, the United Kingdom and a global Commonwealth. The design concept illustrates how she brought these dualities together: two gates, two gardens, joined by a bridge and unifying path. The winning team includes artist Yinka Shonibare and celebrated landscape designer, Michel Desvigne.

Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners, said: “It is an honour and a privilege for our team to be awarded this project. Her Majesty loved history and tradition, so this is reflected in the inspiration of the original design of St James’s Park by Sir John Nash. Some of his principles have survived, whilst others have been lost and will be restored, creating a family of gardens joined by gently meandering paths.

"I knew The Queen on formal occasions but also enjoyed her informality when attending events as a member of the Order of Merit. We have sought to reflect these qualities of the formal and informal in our design, with an appeal across a wide range of ages and interests. To these ends, we have discreetly stretched the boundaries of art and technology with a deliberately gentle intervention. Our design will have the minimum impact on the nature and biodiversity of the park and it will be phased to ensure that the precious route across it will never be closed.

"At the heart of our masterplan is a translucent bridge symbolic of Her Majesty as a unifying force, bringing together nations, countries, the Commonwealth, charities and the armed forces.”

Foster + Partners’ design concept features figurative sculptures and a new Prince Philip Gate. It also features gardens – dedicated to the Commonwealth and the communities of the United Kingdom – to create spaces for reflection and coming together. Artistic installations will celebrate the nation’s diversity. A new bridge, replacing the existing Blue Bridge, will feature a cast-glass balustrade that recalls Queen Elizabeth’s wedding tiara.

The final design will be formally announced in April 2026, alongside a legacy programme, to coincide with what would have been Queen Elizabeth’s hundredth birthday year

Microplastics found in contents of glass bottles

"Drinks including water, soda, beer and wine sold in glass bottles contain more microplastics than those in plastic bottles, according to a surprising study released by France's food safety agency," was the leading sentence of a news item published by Phys.org based on a publication ANSES Laboratoire de Sécurité des Aliments, France.

Microplastic contaminations in a set of beverages sold in France found in beverages packaged in glass are similar to those found for cans and bricks/beverage cartons, and also for plastic water bottles. 

The main source of microplastics in the glass bottled beverages was reported to be paint from closures/caps. When the bottles are filled, the caps are placed by a process where there is potential for mechanical stress/friction, resulting in polyester based paint chips. These paint fragments can then accumulate on the inner side of the caps, and that is how it gets into the bottle. So the source is linked to the filling process and painted caps. Some simple cleaning procedures saw significant reductions in this contamination source.

Glass bottled beverages were also found to contain polyolefin microplastics which could originate from cold-end coatings used to lubricate the passage of the bottles. Levels were higher for wider mouth containers compared to beer, etc. Lowering the spray nozzles would reduce the chances of lubricant residues entering the bottle.

The size of microplastics measured in this study were 30–500 µm, several orders of magnitude bigger than the nanoplastics which have been absorbed into the body.

The glass industry (FEVE) and ANSES are exchanging ideas to gain a better understanding of the problem and work on concrete and effective solutions, some of which have already been considered by the team of researchers behind the study.

Refractories technology courses

AMRICC Academy, a training centre for industry hosted and managed by Lucideon, has established Refractories Technology courses. It will be hosting a free discovery session on the 26th June to provide more information about the Academy and further details on the offering.

Written and delivered by a in-house refractories expert with over 20 years of industry experience, the refractories course provides an in-depth overview of all critical aspects: from material selection and performance to installation quality and failure analysis. It is tailored to aid understanding of the underlying principles of refractory material properties, their manufacture and applications in a variety of environments.

The free discovery session, to be hosted online on 26th June 2025 at 10am BST, provides an understanding of the research that underpins the course development and why this course will be of benefit to you. The next available dates for this course are being held at The AMRICC Centre in August 2025.

Alfred R. Cooper Scholars Award

The Glass & Optical Materials Division of The American Ceramic Society invites nominations for the Cooper Scholars Award. This undergraduate award is named in honour of the late Professor Alfred R. Cooper, Jr., member of the faculty at Case Western Reserve University and a prominent contributor to the understanding of many glass phenomena and glass problems.

The purpose of the Cooper Scholars Award is to encourage and recognise undergraduate students who have demonstrated excellence in research, engineering, and/or study in glass science or technology. The award will be presented during the GOMD Cooper Session at MS&T each October.

The Cooper Scholars Award recipient will receive an award plaque and a cheque for $500.

The student can be from any country. Membership in The American Ceramic Society, the Glass & Optical Materials Division, or Material Advantage is not required.

Link to the nominations page

Carlos Moreira da Silva is the Glass Person of the Year

Carlos Moreira da Silva has been named by the Phoenix Award Committee as Glass Person of the Year 2025. He was described as visionary industrial leader and a key architect of BA Glass’s transformation into the world’s fourth-largest glass container manufacturer.

From his tenure as CEO of BA Glass (1998–2003) and Chairman (2003–2019), to his current role as a major shareholder through TEAK Capital, his strategic foresight has propelled the glass maker to become a beacon of innovation, resilience, and sustainability in the packaging sector.

Born in Porto in 1952 into a large and deeply principled family, Mr Moreira da Silva earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Porto and later obtained a PhD in Industrial Management from the University of Warwick (UK).

His career began in academia as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Porto in 1973. After becoming Assistant Professor, he pivoted to executive leadership in 1986, serving as Executive Director of EDP and later joining the Board of Sonae Group.While at Sonae, he launched the newspaper Público and led Sonae Indústria, notably steering the integration of Tafisa in 1995. In 2000, Sonae acquired 49.9% of BA Glass, which at the time operated only three production plants.

By 2004, Mr Moreira da Silva led a successful Management Buyout, alongside the Silva Domingues family and key executives, taking full control of the company.Under his leadership, BA Glass grew rapidly through a series of strategic acquisitions, reaching 14 manufacturing plants across Europe and Mexico, and producing more than 20 million glass units daily.

The company’s culture, deeply influenced by Mr Moreira da Silva’s values, prioritizes employee well-being and environmental responsibility. Its goal to become carbon-neutral by 2050 demonstrates a clear commitment to future-proofing the industry.

Mr Moreira da Silva’s legacy continues through his son, Tiago Moreira da Silva, now leading BA Glass, reinforcing a tradition of excellence and innovation in glass manufacturing.