In a significant development for the European flat glass industry, Glass for Europe, the trade association representing EU-based float glass manufacturers, held its annual General Assembly in Brussels in 2024.
This year’s event was marked by the welcome of a new member, Şişecam, a major global player in flat glass production, strengthening Glass for Europe’s position as the representative voice of the sector in Europe.
The General Assembly also saw the election of a new Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Glass for Europe. Davide Cappellino, Chairman of the Board and President of Architectural Glass of AGC Glass Europe, was elected as the new Chair, succeeding Joana Arreguy of Saint-Gobain. Dr. Christian Quenett of the NSG Group was elected as the new Vice Chair. Cappellino emphasized the importance of the work carried out by Glass for Europe in helping the industry navigate the increasingly complex implications and obligations arising from EU policies and legislation.
A special session of the General Assembly was dedicated to a discussion on the enormous technological and economic challenges associated with accelerating the reduction of CO2 emissions from flat glass production in order to align with the EU’s path towards climate neutrality. The fruitful exchange led to a reaffirmation of Glass for Europe’s vision ‘2050 I Flat Glass in a Climate Neutral Europe’ and the sector’s ambition to maximize its contributions to the EU’s climate neutrality target.
Cappellino emphasized the criticality of creating the right industrial conditions to achieve the EU’s climate neutrality goal, as the difficulties to be overcome remain significant. To enable the necessary sustainable transformation, Glass for Europe has developed a policy manifesto for 2024-2029, which sets out concrete policy proposals for EU policymakers to consider. Advocating for these policies will be a priority for Glass for Europe in the coming months.
The inclusion of Şişecam as a new member, the election of a new leadership team, and the sector’s renewed commitment to addressing the challenges of climate change demonstrate Glass for Europe’s pivotal role in shaping the future of the European flat glass industry. As the association continues to advocate for the industry’s interests, it will play a crucial part in ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of this vital sector.
Source: Glass for Europe with additional information added by GlassBalkan
