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GREG MORRIS, EDITOR
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Glass packaging bounces back
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Proof, if any was needed, of the public’s thirst for glass was provided by the container glass sector in its recent second quarter financial results. All of the major players in the sector - Vidrala, O-I, Ardagh and Verallia reported strong growth, with production up in the double figures for some compared to the previous year, when the pandemic was at its peak around the world. This was reflected in glass technology supplier Bucher Emhart Glass’ financials where it reported a 75% increase in order intake compared to the year before. This uptake in demand coincided with the widespread opening of the hotels and restaurant sector. It clearly shows the public has an affinity to glass and is their preferred packaging choice during a meal out or overnight stay. Hopefully it means that the messages of campaigns such as Friends of Glass have hit home and the public is recognising the benefits of a material which is inert and endlessly recyclable. So what next for the container glass sector? Perhaps now is the time to remind the public of the benefits of working in the sector. With the arrival of new digital technology in the manufacturing process you could suggest that it has never been a better time than now to secure a job in the sector. For young engineering students, the glass industry, with its increased use of Industry 4.0 technology, is an appealing sector.
Vidrala reports glass sales growth of 11.6%
Spanish container glass manufacturer Vidrala has posted a sales growth of 11.6% in its latest report. Net sales reported by Vidrala during the first six months 2021 amounted to € 529.5 million, representing a growth of 11.6% over the previous year. In its latest financial report it said growth in the second
quarter of this year was partially explained by last year’s low base of comparison. It said: “The results confirmed the strength of its diversified business profile and the bright future glass has as the preferred and most sustainable packaging option for food and beverages. “Demand for glass across
our markets remained solid in the first half of 2021, grounded on the strong underlying fundamentals of food and beverages consumption, the progressive reopening of activities and the continuous support from packagers, brand owners and consumers to glass as the ultimate sustainable packaging material.”
Hydrogen: launch of Italian project to decarbonise the industry An Italian group comprising glass manufacturers, furnace suppliers and energy companies has begun a collaboration aimed at reducing emissions in the glass industry through hydrogen. The group consists of Snam, RINA, Bormioli Luigi, Bormioli Rocco, Stara Glass, UNI.
GE, Stazione Sperimentale del Vetro, IFRF Italia, SGRPRO and RJC SOFT. The ‘Divina’ project (Decarbonisation of the Glass Industry: Hydrogen and New Equipment), co-ordinated by Snam, RINA and Bormioli, aims to reduce emissions in the glass melting stage, which accounts
for more than 50% of total energy consumption throughout the production process. The availability of an energy source such as hydrogen can provide a viable solution by optimising its use in terms of energy and emissions and managing production and transport challenges.
Glass International July/August 2021
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