As President of the Japan Glass Bottle Association (JGBA) and the Ishizuka Glass Group, Hisatsugu Ishizuka spoke exclusively to Glass Worldwide, preferred journal of the JGBA, about prevailing market conditions in Japan, the priorities of the association and his company’s diverse activities in traditional and advancing sectors. The full version of this article appears in the Focus Japan feature in the May/June issue that has been mailed globally and is also available now free of charge in the digital archive*.

Reportedly, some of Russia’s biggest float glass plants are considering expansion plans, as exports show signs of growth and as margins increase. Vladislav Vorotnikov reports. The full version of this article appears in the May/June issue that has been mailed globally and is also available now free of charge in the digital archive*.

A shift in mindset has finally begun within the glass container manufacturing industry and focus is now moving towards a carbon-free future. Everyone in the industry should be excited to hear the latest news about several hybrid and all-electric melting initiatives becoming a reality. The need for larger installed power supplies brings new design challenges, as well as interesting opportunities. Choosing a power supply provider with a high level of expertise is key to achieving the most energy-efficient and cost-effective solution, says René Meuleman. The full version of this article appears in the May/June issue that has been mailed globally and is also available now free of charge in the digital archive*.

In the face of the escalating international Coronavirus pandemic, Stuart Hakes outlines some of the activities planned by the Society of Glass Technology during 2020. The full version of this article appears in the May/June issue that has been mailed globally and is also available now free of charge in the digital archive (sponsored by FIC)*.

Digitalisation has become a key topic for almost all businesses in the glass industry and the necessary technologies are now available. But along with progress come new questions: For example, how to start the digitalisation process and where? And what are the benefits to the bottom line? Learning more about digital twins will bring readers closer to the answers, says Bernhard Saftig. The full version of this article appears in the May/June issue that has been mailed globally and is also available now free of charge in the digital archive*.

An Indonesian glass container manufacturer was facing challenges in reaching high production efficiencies due to improper ware handling. Wesley Weaver describes how specific issues in the hot ware handling process were identified and solutions to help the glassmaker exceed its efficiency goals were provided. The full version of this article appears in the May/June issue that has been mailed globally and is also available now free of charge in the digital archive*.

Japan is aiming to become a hydrogen-based society but will it be able to deliver the quantities of hydrogen required by glass manufacturers at an acceptable CO2 emission and price level? René Meuleman discuses some of the considerations to be made regarding hydrogen combustion processes and why all-electric melting technology and control solutions provided by Eurotherm by the Schneider Electric glass expert team could be a more efficient option. The full version of this article appears in the Focus Japan feature in the May/June issue that has been mailed globally and is also available now free of charge in the digital archive*.

Martin Petersson, CEO of Ardagh Group - Glass Europe, discusses the ‘Furnace of the Future’, a project co-ordinated by Europe’s leading glass container producers to develop the world’s first large-scale, hybrid oxy-fuel furnace to run on 80% renewable electricity. According to FEVE, the European Container Glass Federation, the ‘Furnace of the Future’ is a fundamental milestone in the industry’s decarbonisation journey towards climate neutral glass packaging, replacing current fossil fuel energy sources and cutting CO2 emissions by 50%. The full version of this article appears in the May/June issue that has been mailed globally and is also available now free of charge in the digital archive*.