India's Glass and Ceramics Clusters
Energy Costs and Kilns
Why energy is the biggest cost for glass and ceramics makers, how gas prices affect competitiveness, and efforts to use cleaner and more efficient kilns.
Energy is a major cost for glass and ceramics.
High heat
Kilns and furnaces reach 1,000-1,500°C.
Fuels
- Natural gas is cleaner but costly in India.
- Coal and petcoke are cheaper but polluting.
Competitiveness
Higher gas prices than rivals make Indian firms less competitive.
Efficiency
- Waste heat recovery.
- Better kilns and insulation.
- Electric melting in some glass plants.
Decarbonisation
Firms face pressure to cut emissions, including from buyers abroad.
The heat recovery
A tile factory captures waste heat from its kiln to dry tiles, cutting gas use.
Thinking raw materials are the main cost
Energy often is.
Key takeaways
- Energy is a major cost.
- Gas is clean but costly.
- Efficiency cuts costs.
- Decarbonisation pressure is growing.
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