Primary industry data gathered through FEVE show European glass container production continued to grow in 2018, confirming positive trends of previous years, although at a slower pace which is line with prevailing sluggish macro economic trends.

Glass container production among FEVE members grew by 217,000 tonnes from 2017 levels (1%), while unit production remained unchanged. Overall production now stands at 21,755,000 tonnes and 78,662 million units, 10% and 9.8% increases relative to 2012 levels respectively.

Sisecam has completed a 42 million Euros furnace rebuild at the group’s Targovishte float plant in Bulgaria. Europe’s largest flat glass producer, Sisecam operates two float lines in the country, plus extensive capabilities to make coated, laminated and silvered glass, as well as specialist facilities for the manufacture of automotive and domestic appliance materials. In addition, two furnaces are operated in Bulgaria to make household glassware.

Corning Inc recently conducted the opening ceremony for its Automotive Glass Solutions facility in the Hefei Xinzhan Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone in Anhui Province, China. This high volume manufacturing facility will enable the company to deliver AutoGrade Gorilla Glass parts for automotive interiors directly to automakers around the world as they incorporate more displays and technical glass into their vehicle designs.

The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) is to partner with O-I to create a commemorative bottle to celebrate the competition’s 50th anniversary.

Established in 1969, the IWSC was the first competition of its kind, set up to seek out, reward and promote the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. Currently receiving entries from over 90 countries, the IWSC is set apart by the formidable reputation of its judging process.

NSG Group and Lightsource BP have opened a 2.29MWp solar installation at the glassmaker’s European Technical Centre in Lathom, UK. The project, which is fully funded by Lightsource BP, is hard-wired into the private electricity network at Lathom. It is expected to provide some 30% of the site’s annual electricity demand and reduce carbon emissions by 848 tonnes per year.