Time for glass Şişecam

TIME FOR GLASS

Founded in 1935, Şişecam is one of the largest glass manufacturers, not only in Europe, but throughout the world. With its increased focus on sustainable materials, the company has promising prospects, and has continued its expansion into new markets.

Turkey-based Şişecam is one of the world’s largest glass producers, with production facilities in 14 countries on four continents, and some 22,000 employees. Founded to meet Turkey’s need for basic glass products, the company has evolved into one of the most powerful industrial conglomerates in the country and a global player in its sector. Şişecam is the only global producer operating in all three key areas of the global glass industry: flat glass, glassware and glass packaging. It ranks among the world’s top two producers in glassware, and among the top five global producers in glass packaging and flat glass. Şişecam is also one of the top three largest producers of soda and is a world leader in chromium chemicals. Additionally, Şişecam has assumed a pioneering role in its mining, energy and recycling business lines. Combining its deep-rooted experience with a forward-looking vision, Şişecam adds value to all its stakeholders with a peopleoriented and environment-friendly approach, in line with its strategy of sustainable growth that creates value.

Sustainability in investment

The last two years, a challenging time for many, have been a period of growth for the Turkish manufacturer, and one that continues. In February 2022, the company announced the acquisition of the

Italian Refel company, one of the world’s leading refractory materials manufacturers. This strategic step was made to ensure its new furnace investments and cold repairs are unaffected by today’s disrupted global supply chain. The Refel acquisition will also further bolster Şişecam’s strategic position in the global glass industry, making Şişecam a major player in the fast-developing and growing refractory industry. Şişecam Chairman of the Board Prof. Dr Ahmet Kırman commented: “The world has entered a period of great change. No country or sector has escaped unscathed after the onset of the global pandemic. This new era is characterised by volatile conditions globally. The ability to adapt effectively to changing conditions is now one of the most important competencies, one that we should all have.”

Emphasising that one of the most critical issues for the timely implementation of glass furnace investments is eliminating the risks of refractory supply, he stated: “The acquisition of the refractory manufacturer Refel will play a major role in eliminating any supply risks that Şişecam may face in its future glass-manufacturing investments and is clearly in line with Şişecam’s sustainability approach to its investments.”

New facility in Hungary

The acquisition was not the only important event cementing the company’s leading position. In March 2022, Şişecam laid the foundation stone of its first European glass packaging facility in Hungary. Prof. Dr Ahmet Kırman delivered a speech at the ground-breaking ceremony, pointing out that Şişecam records most of its international sales in the European market.

“Europe accounts for a quarter of the total global glass packaging market. This fact offers major opportunities for the rapid develop-

ment of the industry and for the expansion of our company’s current production footprint. Şişecam’s positive experience in Hungary to date has played a major role in prioritising the country when planning our glass-packaging production facility investment in Europe.” The Hungary investment is a product of Şişecam’s vision of valuecreating sustainable growth: “Once complete with a €255 million investment, our Hungarian facility will have an annual production capacity of 330,000 tonnes, responding to the glass-packaging demands of both Hungary and foreign markets across a wide geography, while also boosting Hungary’s exports.”

Material of the future

The company’s growing position reflects current market developments, and its wide-ranging experience, formidable track record and expertise are establishing the foundations to accommodate increased demand.

In a world where the importance of sustainability is increasingly recognised and embraced, the strategic role of glass becomes ever more prominent. 2022 was declared the “International Year of Glass” by the United Nations, with the contribution of Şişecam – at the opening ceremony of the International Year of Glass 2022 held in February in Geneva, Prof. Dr Ahmet Kırman delivered the closing speech.

He said: “Glass promises to be one of the strategic materials of the future with its sustainability-oriented features. There is no doubt that glass, already indispensable in its traditional uses, will be the main component of many different and new applications in the future thanks to its unique transparency, formability, hardness, low cost, widespread availability, and sustainability features.”

“Şişecam is boldly taking responsibility and moving forward to protect, empower and transform its ecosystem. This understanding and sense of responsibility underlie Şişecam’s committed efforts for the declaration of 2022 as the International Year of Glass by the UN. We have maintained steady support for this important designation with all our stakeholders and plan to work on further boosting the global focus on glass.” n