LEI Researchers Visit GIFFT Project Partners in Germany to Discuss Progress and Sustainable Glass Manufacturing Technologies

On May 27-29, researchers from LEI, working on the GIFFT project under the "Horizon Europe" program, visited project partners: the Technical University of Munich (in Munich), PlasmaAir (in Weil der Stadt), and SCHOTT (in Mainz). During the visit to each partner, the progress and upcoming tasks of the project were discussed, as well as the submission of reports to the European Commission. In addition, researchers from LEI got acquainted with available experimental and analytical equipment and products.
On May 27, at the Technical University of Munich, academic activities were discussed along with the organizational work for the second consortium meeting to be held in the fall. Additionally, the progress of the project activities was assessed to ensure the equipment readiness level is on time as planned when the experiments begin.
At PlasmaAir on May 28, discussions were held regarding the design and production of direct current electric arc plasma generator systems for various industrial or R&D applications, as well as for cleaning industrial waste before it enters the environment (such as volatile organic compounds, combustion products, etc.).
On May 29, at SCHOTT, the researchers became acquainted with a special high-quality glass manufacturing process, which supplies products to various industrial sectors worldwide: pharmaceuticals, automotive, telecommunication, semiconductor, aerospace, optics, etc. As part of its manufacturing process aimed at sustainability, one of the possibilities being explored is the implementation of plasma technologies to reduce the use of natural gases, thereby transitioning to electrification of production and reducing environmental impact.
The GIFFT results planned to be achieved during the project will contribute to the implementation of more sustainable technologies/processes by decarbonizing the glass industry sector and reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the environment.