FURNACE RENOVATION INVESTMENT BY SISECAM IN GEORGIA
Sisecam, a global player in the glass and chemicals industries, continues to add value to Georgia, the first country the company invested outside of Türkiye. Sisecam has taken the first products from its renovated second glass packaging furnace at its Mina facility. This state-of-the-art furnace, bolstered by advanced technologies, began production following the completion of cold repair processes by an investment of approximately EUR 20 Million.
The ceremony, hosted by Sisecam CEO Görkem Elverici, was attended by Levan Davitashvili, Deputy Prime Minister and Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development; Ali Kaan Orbay, Turkish Ambassador to Georgia and Davit Nozadze, Regional Governor of Mtskheta-Mtianeti.
Sisecam CEO Görkem Elverici delivered a speech at the ceremony, stating: “Georgia is a very special country for Sisecam. We chose Georgia for our first investment outside Türkiye, where we are the founders of the domestic glass industry 26 years ago. This was a highly strategic first step for our extensive global production network. Today, Sisecam operates 45 facilities in 14 countries on four continents. Since 1997, our business operations in Georgia have been contributing to the country’s economy via ongoing investments, production activities and employment opportunities. We have come together today to collect our first products from our second glass packaging furnace which is equipped with cutting-edge technologies.”
Mr. Elverici pointed out that the cold repair process for Sisecam’s second furnace at the Mina glass packaging facility was initiated this year in accordance with the repair schedule. He elaborated, “We renovated our second furnace with a nearly EUR 20 Million investment and equipped it with new production capabilities. As a result, we boosted the furnace’s capacity by 50 percent and expanded our total glass packaging production capacity in Georgia by 25 percent. This development investment bolsters Sisecam’s global supply capability. We will now respond to the intensive glass packaging demands of the country and the region even faster.”
In 1997, Sisecam made its first investment outside of Türkiye in Georgia. Sisecam started production in the country in 1998 with an annual capacity of 18,000 tons. At present, Sisecam has an annual production capacity of 75,000 tons in Georgia with two furnaces at its production facility in Mina. At this facility, Sisecam produces glass packaging in various volumes and three colors (green, flint, and light blue) for water, mineral water, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and the food industry. Currently, Sisecam is the sole glass manufacturer in Georgia. Ranking among Georgia’s top 100 industrial companies in terms of both production and exports, Sisecam also offers employment opportunities for 250 people in the country.
About Sisecam
Sisecam was founded in 1935 to establish Turkey’s glass industry in line with the vision of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a great leader respected worldwide. Today, Sisecam is a major global player in the fields of glass and chemicals. Sisecam is the only global company operating in all core areas of glass production – including flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, and glass fiber. Currently, Sisecam ranks among the world’s top two manufacturers of glassware and the top five producers of glass packaging and flat glass. Sisecam is one of the three largest soda ash producers in the world and the world leader in chromium chemicals.
Sisecam plays a leading role in the flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, chemicals, automotive, glass fiber, mining, energy and recycling business lines. Sisecam operates production facilities in Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Russian Federation, Georgia, Ukraine, Egypt, India, and the USA in addition to Turkey.
Sisecam who takes firm steps towards its goal of becoming one of the world’s top 3 manufacturers in its main fields of activity, with its competent human resources and smart technologies, and uninterruptedly continues to transform its digital infrastructure and culture by taking into account the future necessities. Sisecam who has 88 years of experience, more than 24 thousand employees, production activities in 14 countries on four continents, and a sales network of more than 150 countries, continues its growth journey in line with its “Global Excellence” strategy and with an inclusive approach that supports the development of company’s entire ecosystem. Sisecam takes responsibility for protecting the planet, empowering society and transforming life with its CareForNext strategy, which is compliant with and centered around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Sisecam uses all its experience and competencies to promote sustainable development in every aspect.
