Second Ankara float furnace commissioned
Via this month’s commissioning of a second float furnace at its Ankara site in Turkey, Sisecam has created one of Europe’s largest flat glass production sites.
A further $130 million has been invested at the Polatli glassworks to add a furnace with an annual capacity of 240,000 tons, equipped with state-of-the-art technology in line with Industry 4.0 manufacturing practices.
Total annual manufacturing capacity at Polatli has been increased to 540,000 tons to meet growing domestic demand.
Sisecam Vice Chairman and CEO Professor Ahmet Kırman confirmed that the company has continued its latest investments without interruptions, despite the uncertainty caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic and is focused on creating value for the economy. “We have commissioned significant additional capacity at Polatli for our domestic market, in line with our strategic investment plans. We aim to create value for all stakeholders with future investments in line with our sustainable growth targets. We have further bolstered our leadership in flat glass production in Europe."
Professor Kırman emphasised that Sisecam has constantly broken new ground in all fields of activity and pioneered the development of the flat glass industry in Turkey and across the region.
There are four Sisecam flat glass plants in Turkey, in Bursa Yenisehir, Kırklareli, Mersin and Ankara Polatli, featuring eight flat glass furnaces in total. Production capacity has increased to 3.4 million tons per year, further bolstering the group’s leadership in flat glass production in Europe.
Professor Kırman also emphasised that Sisecam has continued to operate, produce and invest throughout 2020, a year marked by the global pandemic. “We remain committed to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our employees, business partners and customers, without interrupting our production and services related to the essential needs of society during these challenging times. We are effectively contributing to the battle against the pandemic thanks to our superior research and technological development expertise and production strength. In addition to strategic moves to boost efficiency in our existing business areas in the future, we will also capitalise on opportunities in new business areas that will add value to Sisecam.”
