Environmental and Economic Reforms in the Small Scale Glass Sector of Firozabad through Energy Conservation -- A Field Experience of Centre for the Development of Glass Industry

摘要

Glass is a material with typical properties for versatile uses, some of which may be decorative, construction, tableware or technical use. Glass manufacturing has always been a highly energy intensive process and therefore highly expensive and polluting as well. History of glass making is about eight centuries old. In this era, this process has undergone continuous development in terms of technology to make it eco-friendly and economic. The development includes change of fuel, change in design and refinement of skill and development of machinery. The technical development has, however, not been uniform globally. India holds a significant position in the world in glass production in terms of quantity and variety of products for many decades. The scale of glass production in the country varies from tiny to large. Except for some typical products like flat glass, container glass and technical glass, majority of items are produced in the small scale sector of which over 70 percent is contributed by the Firozabad glass industry cluster.