Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe plans to close two glass melting furnaces at its production facilities in Knottingley, United Kingdom, and Holmegaard, Denmark, amid declining demand and challenging market conditions across Europe’s glass packaging sector.
The proposed restructuring could affect approximately 80 employees at the Knottingley plant in West Yorkshire and around 100 employees at the Holmegaard facility in Denmark.
According to the company, the measures aim to align manufacturing capacity with current market demand and address persistent overcapacity in the European container glass industry. Weaker customer demand and changing market conditions have increased pressure on manufacturers to review production levels and operational efficiency.
Ardagh has begun consultations with employee representatives regarding the proposed closures and their potential consequences for the workforce. The final decisions remain subject to the consultation process. The company has not disclosed the melting capacities, measured in tonnes per day, of the two affected furnaces. 
The planned closures reflect broader challenges facing Europe’s glass packaging manufacturers, as subdued demand and excess production capacity continue to influence industrial operations. For the sector, adjusting furnace capacity presents a significant operational decision, involving production efficiency, employment and the long-term organisation of manufacturing networks.
Source: Ardagh Glass with additional information added by Glass Balkan
