O-I has rebuilt one of the two glass furnaces of its Nové Sedlo plant.

The investment of almost €40 million included the demolition of the original furnace, the construction of the new furnace and the renewal of the equipment of two production lines.

“The shutdown of the furnace is an extraordinary event. This furnace worked for more than fifteen years.

The new furnace is larger and thus ensures greater productivity,” said Antonín Petras, Nové Sedlo plant manager.

With the investment, the O-I plant takes a step further in sustainability. Over 10% energy savings are expected, as well as 10% emissions reduction.

The rebuild of the furnace took exactly two months and involved 200 professionals from many countries around the world. In the busiest period, the glassworks held up to twice as many people as usual.

“Of course, we adhered to strict safety measures at all times, and we also tested all employees and external staff on Covid-19 as a precaution. Thanks to that, everything was completed according to schedule,” added Mr Petras.

The old furnace has been in operation since 2005. The reconstruction also affected other parts of the glass plant.

The glass plant resumed production at the end of November.

“One of the first product to come off the renewed lines was a special beer bottle with a motif of the rebuild,” said the production improvement manager Pavel Netroufal.

The Nové Sedlo plant produces green and amber containers. O-I has another plant in the Czech Republic in Dubí near Teplice, which produces flint containers.

o-i.com

Image: Inside the rebuilt O-I Nové Sedlo furnace.