A greater capacity to innovate Şişecam

A gREATER CAPACITy

To InnovATE

Şişecam is a leading European producer of glass packaging and one of the top three glass producers in the world. Philip Yorke reports on a company that continues to invest heavily in new technology, whilst increasing its manufacturing capacity and product quality. In addition, the group is focused on developing more sustainable manufacturing processes and is extending its global presence.

Şişecam’s roots can be traced back to 1935 with its first glassmaking facility established close to Istanbul. Ever since, it has been investing in state-of-the-art technology and in 1960 it expanded its operations to attract overseas business. Today the company is specialised in all the essential areas of glass-making through its four key divisions: Glass Tableware, Glass Packaging, Flat Float Glass and Chemicals.

Since 1998 Şişecam has been actively investing in overseas markets and in particular in the Russian Federation. At the same time, it has embarked upon a dedicated programme in order to improve its environmental sustainability and optimise its recycling processes.

Increasing capacity

The Şişecam Group recently announced that it was to invest more than TL240 million in its Eskisehir Glass Packaging Plant in Turkey and will put its new furnace into operation during the second half of 2018. While continuing to make a significant contribution to the Turkish economy and employment in the country, the group will increase its annual glass packaging capacity in Turkey to 1.2 million tonnes, together with the launch of its new furnace which has an annual capacity of over 150,000 tonnes, which will be equipped with the latest Industry 4.0 technologies.

“Our group has invested its proceeds generated for more than 80 years from our foundation for the support of our workforce and our country, and today we have achieved a strong global position in the field. The Şişecam Group continues its operations with the aim of achieving its strict sustainable growth targets. We will be launching our largest glass packaging furnace in Turkey as a result of this investment,” said the Şişecam Group’s Deputy Chairman and CEO, Prof. Ahmet Kirman.

Şişecam is the world’s fifth largest glass packaging manufacturer with a total production volume of 2.3 million tonnes per year. This year the company will have increased its annual capacity in Turkey by one million tonnes as a result of its continuing investment programme.

Kirman added, “We are the third largest manufacturer of glassware and the fifth largest manufacturer of glass packaging and flat glass in the world. Furthermore, we are the world’s largest manufacturer of chromium chemicals. Continuing our production activities in 13 countries, our group strengthens its capacity and technological power with its innovation, creativity, expertise and highly qualified personnel, and we look forward to the future with trust, thanks to our product excellence and quality of service.”

Winning ways

Recently Şişecam won the coveted WordStar 2017 Award, in the competition held by the World Packaging Organisation. This was achieved with its Kestane Natural Spring Water Bottle in the Beverages category.

The Kestane Natural Spring Water Botte was created by the company’s chief designer, Eda Yilmaz, who had also previously won Competency and Silver Awards at the Crescent and Stars of Packag-

ing Competition, as well as the Excellent Design Award at the Design Turkey Competition 2017.

As the clear leader in the Turkish market, Şişecam Glass Packaging provides products for the food, water, mineral water, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage industries, as well as producing glass packaging products for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The company manufactures glass packages of various volumes from 6cc, to 15,000 cc, and in a broad range of colours.

3D innovation

Şişecam Glass and Şişecam Packaging are among the world’s leaders in research and product development. The two companies continuously invest significant sums in technology and innovation, in line with their aim of extending their high quality product ranges, increasing energy efficiency and increasing the recycling of waste products.

The Şişecam Glass Packaging Group focuses on making all of its processes and work applications such as forming, tempering, quality control and packaging processes more efficient and environmentally friendly. One of the key objectives is to make glass packaging products lighter whilst increasing their strength. The company’s new forming technology (NFS) preserves durability whilst saving costs on raw materials and energy.

The development of exclusive ‘designer’ products is made possible using advanced 3D technology for producing difficult shapes, non-round bottles and jars with corners, all of which can be designed to meet a customer’s individual needs.

Basic bottles can also be changed from blow-blow to narrow neck press-blow technology and this light-weighting technique is important in relation to the ecological footprint of the process, which saves energy and cuts transportation costs.

In its quest to create new and more functional properties in glass packaging, the Şişecam Group has developed a range of glass with special anti-bacterial qualities, which in turn extends the shelf life of products in glass packaging. n

For further details of the Şişecam Group’s latest innovative and sustainable glass packaging products visit: www.sisecamambalaj.com