ŞİŞECAM LAYS THE FOUNDATION OF ŞİŞECAM LAYS THE FOUNDATION OF ITS FIRST EUROPEAN GLASS PACKAGING FACILITY IN HUNGARY
Şişecam, the only global company operating in all core areas of glass production, held the groundbreaking ceremony for its EUR 255 million greenfield glass packaging facility in Kaposvar, Hungary on March 17. The facility is Şişecam’s first glass packaging production site in Europe and will bring the company’s quality glass packaging products closer to the European market. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, Kaposvar MP Attila Gelencsér, Kaposvar Mayor Károly Szita, Şişecam Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman, and Şişecam CEO Görkem Elverici.
A long-term investor in all the markets it operates, Şişecam is committed to help the region develop with its holistic and inclusive vision. Şişecam Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman delivered a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony, pointing out that Şişecam records most of its international sales from the European market. He also emphasized that Şişecam prioritizes value creation for its entire ecosystem. “The European market accounts for a quarter of the total global glass packaging market. This fact offers major opportunities for the rapid development of the industry and for the expansion of our company’s current production footprint. Şişecam’s positive experience in Hungary to date played a major role in prioritizing the country while planning our first glass packaging production facility investment in Europe.” said Prof. Dr. Kırman.
Şişecam CEO Görkem Elverici stated in his remarks that the Hungary investment is an output of Şişecam’s vision of value-creating sustainable growth: “Once complete with a EUR 255 million investment, our Hungarian facility will have an annual production capacity of 330,000 tons. It will bring Şişecam’s quality glass packaging products closer to the European market. The production site will respond to the glass packaging demands of both Hungary and other markets across a wide geography. The investment will also boost Hungary’s exports.”
18.03.2022 – Şişecam, the only global player operating in all core areas of glass production, is moving forward with its investments to become one of the three largest manufacturers in the world in all its main fields of activity. As a global player in all core areas of glass manufacturing, Şişecam held the groundbreaking ceremony of its first European glass packaging facility in Kaposvar, Hungary. The new investment is worth EUR 255 million. The ceremony was attended by Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, Kaposvar Deputy Attila Gelencsé, Kaposvar Mayor Károly Szita, Şişecam Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman, and Şişecam CEO Görkem Elverici.
Şişecam aims to bolster its presence in the European glass packaging market with its Hungarian investment
Şişecam Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman delivered a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony, stating that Şişecam aims to grow by creating value for its entire ecosystem and introducing its innovative products to customers in more than 150 countries worldwide. Prof. Dr. Kırman emphasized that Şişecam is expanding in line with its sustainable growth strategy: “Şişecam operates in glass packaging with a total of 10 production facilities in four countries and an annual production capacity of 2.6 million tons. Most of our international sales are to Europe. The European market accounts for a quarter of the total global glass packaging market. This fact offers major opportunities for the rapid development of the industry and for the expansion of our company’s current production footprint. Our Hungarian investment will further strengthen Şişecam’s position in glass packaging. With this new facility, we aim to bolster both the development of the region and our presence in the European glass packaging market by continuously investing in Kaposvar.”
Şişecam will significantly contribute to the economic development of the region
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman indicated that Şişecam’s business activities in Hungary started with an acquisition in 2013. Şişecam’s positive experience in the country played a major role in prioritizing Hungary when planning a glass packaging production facility in Europe. As a long-term investor, Şişecam is committed to helping develop the region with its holistic and inclusive vision that supports its stakeholders.” said Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman. “The new facility will provide input to many different industries with its high qualityglass packaging products with high value add. In addition to focusing on creating economic value for its entire ecosystem in the markets where it operates, Şişecam prioritizes executing its sustainability strategy that encompasses the entire value chain – from raw material to final product. Our new investment in Hungary is planned and implemented with the same perspective. In line with Şişecam’s sustainability vision aiming to leave a better world for the future and in accordance with the European Union Green Deal policy directives, the Hungarian facility will be equipped with advanced technologies that reduce carbon and water footprints. We also plan to boost recycling and energy efficiency levels at the production site.”
Our Hungarian glass packaging facility will be built with a EUR 255 million investment
Şişecam CEO Görkem Elverici also gave a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony, stating that the Hungarian investment is an output of Şişecam’s vision of value-creating sustainable growth. He pointed out that Şişecam grows by supporting its entire ecosystem with long-term investments. “Şişecam further develops by managing risks effectively and capitalizing on attractive investment opportunities. We plan to commission our Hungarian glass packaging facility in 2023. It is scheduled to reach its full annual production capacity of 330,000 tons in 2025.” Görkem Elverici indicated. “With a EUR 255 million investment, this major facility will bring our quality glass packaging products closer to the European market. The production site will respond to the glass packaging demands of both Hungary and other markets across a wide geography. It will also boost Hungary’s exports.”
Görkem Elverici underlined that Şişecam is a key stakeholder in the geographies where it operates. Şişecam is widely known for its contributions to development and employment. “The new glass packaging production facility will create direct employment for over 330 employees. Once the facility is commissioned, Şişecam’s total employment in Hungary will be approximately 650 people, with further employment of about 1,000 persons supported via sub-producers. The volume of trade that our production operations will create in the region will also spur the development of many industries along the glass packaging value chain. Our facility will make a difference not only with the economic value it will create, but also with its environmentally friendly and state-of-the-art technology features. The new facility will host the most advanced applications of glass packaging melting technology. Our Hungarian site will use the most up-to-date technologies in line with Şişecam’s smart factory vision in terms of both system design and equipment selection. We will also benefit from electric melting technology along with natural gas. This special technology, developed by Şişecam with its superior innovation capability, will serve our sustainability activities and carbon footprint reduction targets.”
About Şişecam
Şişecam was founded in 1935 to establish Turkey’s glass industry in line with the vision of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. Today, Şişecam is a strong global player in the fields of glass and chemicals. Şişecam is the only global company operating in all core areas of glass production – including flat glass, glassware, glass packaging and glass fiber. Currently, Şişecam ranks among the world’s top two manufacturers of glassware and the top five producers of glass packaging and flat glass. Şişecam is one of the three largest soda producers in the world and the world leader in chromium chemicals.
Şişecam plays a leading role in the flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, chemicals, automotive, glass fiber, mining, energy and recycling business lines. Şişecam 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.
Şişecam is taking major steps towards its goal of becoming one of the world’s top three manufacturers in all its main fields of activity. Driven forward by its highly competent human resources and smart technologies, Şişecam is continuously transforming its digital infrastructure and corporate culture taking into account the needs of the future. With 86 years of experience and 22,000 employees, Şişecam conducts production activities in 14 countries on four continents and operates a sales network in more than 150 countries worldwide. Şişecam is moving forward on its growth journey in line with its Global Excellence strategy and powered by an inclusive approach that supports the development of its entire ecosystem. Şişecam 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. Şişecam uses all its experience and competencies to promote sustainable development in every aspect.
