Stoelzle hosts Klima-Pioniere for an exchange on industrial decarbonisation

Stoelzle welcomed representatives of Styrian companies to its Köflach glassworks as part of the Klima-Pioniere initiative, organised by IV-Steiermark and Green Tech Valley.

Köflach, 15 October 2026

The event provided an opportunity to exchange practical experiences and discuss approaches to decarbonisation, energy efficiency and digitalisation in energy-intensive industries.

Following a welcome by Stoelzle CEO Dr. August Grupp, participants joined guided tours of the glassworks led by the local management team, gaining firsthand insights into glass manufacturing and Stoelzle's energy efficiency initiatives.

From sustainability strategy to practical solutions

The programme continued at the Glascenter in Bärnbach with an introduction to Stoelzle and its industrial activities by Alexander Stern, CSCO & Head of Healthcare Business Unit. Building on this overview, Birgit Schalk, Sustainability & Carbon Manager, outlined the company's sustainability and decarbonisation strategy towards 2030, highlighting efforts to improve energy efficiency, increase the use of renewable energy and recycled glass, and explore lower-emission production technologies.

Thomas Mayrold, Energy & Environmental Manager, provided further insights into the practical implementation of energy efficiency and digitalisation initiatives at the Köflach plant.

One example is the batch preheating system, which uses waste heat from the glass melting process to preheat raw materials and recycled glass. Commissioned in 2023, the system reduces the furnace energy consumption by approximately 8%, equivalent to around 5,000 MWh annually.

“Decarbonising glass manufacturing requires a combination of technological innovation, continuous improvements and long-term investment. Exchanging experiences with other industrial companies helps us learn from different approaches and identify new opportunities to make progress,” says Birgit Schalk.

Advancing industrial sustainability through collaboration

The Klima-Pioniere initiative provides a valuable platform for exchanging experiences and exploring solutions to shared industrial challenges. By hosting the event, Stoelzle offered participants a firsthand look at its glassmaking operations and practical approaches to improving energy efficiency.