13.02.2025- Şişecam stands as one of the cornerstones of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s vision to establish a self-sufficient nation and a national glass industry in the early years of the Turkish Republic. Beginning with the essential mission of producing items such as gas lamps and medicine bottles for a young nation, Şişecam has grown to operate 45 production facilities in 14 countries across four continents, employing over 24,000 people. As the company celebrates its 90th anniversary, it reflects on a legacy of growth, innovation, and dedication to excellence, contributing to a sustainable, self-sufficient future for the world.
Leveraging its exceptional workforce, strategic alliances, cutting-edge R&D capabilities, and innovative technologies, Şişecam steadily advances toward its goal of becoming one of the top three global players in its major business areas. With a clear focus on sustainable growth, Şişecam continues to invest in environmentally responsible production processes and strengthen its position in key markets. The company remains dedicated to creating long-term value for its stakeholders and contributing to the advancement of the glass industry globally.
Şişecam’s 90-Year Story
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- With the decision of the Council of Ministers, the task of establishing the Turkish glass industry was assigned to Türkiye İş Bankası by Atatürk.
- The Paşabahçe Factory carried out its first production on July 4, 1935, with 400 people.
- The factory was officially inaugurated on 29th November 1935 by Prime Minister İsmet İnönü.
- In 1961, Paşabahçe received its first export request from the USA. The first products were shipped to the USA via sea within a month.
- Şişecam began producing flat glass in Türkiye in 1959 and glass packaging in 1967. Soda Sanayi was established in 1969.
- In 1976, Şişecam established Türkiye’s first corporate R&D center.
- Şişecam became publicly traded on the Istanbul Stock Exchange on January 13, 1986.
- Its first investment outside Türkiye was made in 1997 to Georgia in the field of glass packaging.
- In the first half of the 2000s, it expanded with investments in Egypt, Bulgaria, Russia, and Italy.
- In 2011, Şişecam launched the ‘Glass and Glass Again’ project, one of Türkiye’s most comprehensive sustainability and social responsibility initiatives, aimed at promoting glass recycling.
- In the same year, it contributed to education by establishing the Vocational of Technical Sciences at Mersin Tarsus Organized Industrial Zone, an excellent example of education-industry collaboration. In 2019, Şişecam completed the construction of the Şişecam Yenişehir Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School. In its 90th year, Şişecam will continue to support education with new school projects in Lüleburgaz and Tarsus.
- In 2017, Şişecam implemented its sustainability vision under CareforNext.
- In the second half of the 2000s, it continued its investments not only in Türkiye but also in Italy, India, Hungary, Slovakia, Egypt, and Romania.
- In 2019, it made its first production investment in soda ash in the USA.
- In 2020, at Şişecam’s 85th anniversary, it consolidated all its operations under “One Şişecam.”
- In 2024, to shape the production technologies of the future, Şişecam launched the Plant of the Future platform, calling on all its stakeholders to participate.
- In the same year, it acquired all shares in its joint soda ash operations in the USA. This strategic move brought Şişecam one step closer to global leadership in the fields of soda ash and natural soda ash.
About Şişecam
Şişecam is a story of progress…
Founded in 1935 by İş Bankası with the vision and signature of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Şişecam was established to build Türkiye’s glass industry. Over the decades, Şişecam has grown from a local initiative into a global player in glass and chemicals.
As the only global company operating in all core areas of glass production, Şişecam is the global leader in glassware and chromium chemicals, among the top five producers in flat glass and glass packaging, and one of the top two producers of soda ash worldwide.
Şişecam operates across four continents and 14 countries, including Türkiye, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Egypt, India, and the United States. Şişecam plays a pioneering role in flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, chemicals, auto glass, glass fiber, mining, energy, and recycling industries. By placing innovation and technology at the core of its operations, Şişecam delivers its products to customers in over 150 countries through its robust supply chain.
Şişecam makes a meaningful difference in its industries with 90 years of expertise, a skilled workforce, and the use of smart technologies. Supported by more than 24,000 employees, Şişecam is steadily advancing toward its goal of becoming one of the top three global producers in its core industries.
With its CareForNext strategy, Şişecam works to ensure the sustainability of the glass and chemicals industries from the perspectives of protecting the planet, empowering communities, and transforming lives in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Şişecam is pursuing a better future through technology and innovation and continues its story of progress together with its entire ecosystem.Learn more: www.sisecam.com.tr
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About Şişecam
