Figurehead speakers

A selection of onsite and remote speakers representing the glass manufacturing and processing sectors in Geneva included Philippe Bastien (Chairman of Glass for Europe and Regional President, AGC Glass Europe), Reinhard Conradt (President of the ICG), Dr Frank Heinricht (CEO, SCHOTT), Jeffrey Evenson (Chairman of Corning Museum of Glass and Chief Strategy Officer, Corning Incorporated), Emmanuelle Gouillart (Scientific Director, Saint-Gobain), Dr Prof Ahmet Kirman (Chairman of Sisecam), Erik Muijsenberg (Vice President of Glass Service as), Corinne Claireaux (CelSian Academy Manager), Prof Peng Shou (Academician Chinese Academy of Engineering and Board Chairman of China Triumph International Engineering Co Ltd), Ilkay Sökmen (Glass Technologies Director, Sisecam) Naoki Sugimoto (Executive Officer & General Manager, Materials Integration Laboratories at AGC), Vitaliano Torno (President of FEVE and Business Operations at O-I) and Dino Zandonella Necca (President of Vitrum and ADI).

FEVE and O-I’s Vitaliano Torno proudly endorsed glass as the ideal packaging material for promoting sustainable production and consumption patterns, including reuse and recycling, as efforts to build a truly sustainable future accelerate. “We have a unique opportunity to celebrate glass. Glass is endlessly recyclable, guarantees quality and safety no matter how many times it’s recycled and it’s virtually inert. It’s the healthy choice; beautiful; it builds brands and it is loved by people of all generations. That’s what makes it the perfect choice for brands, retailers and consumers alike,” he commented.

Using the occasion to confirm the EU flat glass industry’s commitments towards climate neutrality, Philippe Bastien of Glass for Europe and AGC Glass Europe said: “Today, flat glass is on track when it comes to sustainability and we have tomorrow’s solutions ready too. No other material provides such transparency, energy-efficiency, safety and durability at an affordable cost in the construction industry. We want to go much further and faster in slashing CO2 emissions as much as possible from flat glass manufacturing. Many of our Glass for Europe members have [under]taken very ambitious commitments”. Naoki Sugimoto from AGC in Japan added: “It is such an honour for AGC to support the International Year of Glass. Glass has been an unsung hero so far, but with United Nations approving IYOG2022, glass has the chance to become the hero”.

Sisecam’s Ahmet Kirman stated: “Sisecam is boldly taking responsibility and moving forward to protect, empower and transform its ecosystem. This understanding and sense of responsibility underlie Sisecam’s vigorous efforts for the declaration of 2022 as the International Year of Glass by the UN. As an active member of ICG – the world’s most prestigious institution of glass science in the world – Sisecam has supported the goal of the United Nations International Year of Glass 2022 from the very start. Throughout the year, Sisecam will focus on amplifying the global focus on glass”.

“This year will provide special opportunities to engage across disciplines and to expand our understanding and we hope it will spark creativity and attract new talent to our field to continue the vital role of glass in advancing civilisation,” added Jeffrey Evenson of Corning.

Sponsors

Dr Frank Heinricht of SCHOTT covered the crucial role that glass plays in life science and the pharmaceutical industry and his company sponsored a grand Cocktails and Gala Dinner. Major IYOG ‘Diamond’ sponsors are AGC, Corning, Sisecam and Vitrum 2023 / Gimav. ‘Avventurina’ IYOG sponsors are Libbey and Saint-Gobain while Cristallo’ sponsors include Glaston, Nazeing Glass Works, Nipro Pharma Packaging and SPIE. Abividro, Glass for Europe, Nippon Electric Glass, NGA, SGD Pharma, Sumitomo Electric, Verescence and Vical are IYOG ‘Lattimo’ sponsors. FEVE and GPI were sponsors of the welcome reception and other sponsors included Glass Service (lanyards), IRIS Inspection machines (attendee bag and red carpet photographs), Stevanto Group (charge station and coffee break), SPIE (notepads and pens) and verate (technical sponsors). Glass Service (GS) Vice President Erik Muijsenberg, involved as an ICG Steering Committee member and a keen IYOG supporter from the very beginning, said: “We are honoured to have designed for this event the lanyards that we believe will become a unique collector’s item with this once in a lifetime opportunity in this glass age. We are proud to be an ICG-IYOG Official Sponsor.” Jean-Luc Logel, CEO of IRIS Inspection machines, added: “We are proud to support this landmark event which celebrates the essential role glass plays in the health of humanity and the environment and coincides with the 20th anniversary of IRIS’s foundation.” China Triumph International Engineering Company (CTIEC) is a supporter of IYOG which is promoted and led by ICG (International Commission on Glass), Community of Glass Associations, and ICOM (international committee for museums and collections of glass).

Representing the International Year of Glass Council, Professor John Parker from the University of Sheffield enthused: “Whether you’re a brand looking to make your product stand out or a consumer keen to celebrate an iconic material, 2022 is the year to recognise glass for its many proven credentials and build on a longstanding cultural heritage, for example by advancing its contribution to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Europe enjoys the world’s highest glass recycling rates, and significant progress has been made in glass manufacturing in recent years to increase sustainable production and consumption. There is further potential to progress towards a climate-neutral Circular Economy, by moving to renewable energies and advancing the sustainable use of natural resources. This all starts with encouraging more people to choose and recycle glass, to appreciate its recycling and reuse as an inherent part of our future consumption patterns, and to do it right, so that more glass ends back in new production loops.”

British Glass Technical Director Dr Nick Kirk said: “It’s a pleasure to attend such a prestigious event for our industry to represent the UK glass industry and begin the celebrations of our unique industry. Glass has always been a key part of our everyday lives, from food and drinks packaging to windows that bring light into our homes and the screens on our phones and laptops, and it will remain that way as we move forward to a more sustainable future with the glass sector leading the way in decarbonisation. It’s a wonderful opportunity to show why our industry and the material it produces is so great and I look forward to what we have ahead of us for the rest of 2022.”