The HEINZ-GLAS Group has officially inaugurated a new electric glass melting furnace at its Kleintettau facility, marking another step forward in its commitment to sustainable production. The project, completed shortly before Easter, represents an investment of approximately €13 million and reinforces the company’s focus on modernizing its German operations.

Construction of the new furnace was a complex, multi-stage process completed within just 14 weeks. It began with the draining and cooling of the previous furnace, followed by its dismantling and demolition, before the installation and tempering of the new unit.

The scale of the project was significant: within six days, around 400 tonnes of refractory material and 250 tonnes of glass, steel, and other materials were removed. Over the following month, approximately 450 tonnes of refractory material were transported and installed.

During a small inauguration ceremony, company leadership expressed appreciation for the teamwork involved. Carletta Heinz, CEO and owner, highlighted the collaborative effort required to complete such a project, noting that production has already successfully begun with the new furnace. She thanked all internal teams and external partners for their contributions.

The furnace, named “Josephine,” was ceremonially blessed by Dr. Rolf Schieder, adding a traditional touch to the milestone event.

Image courtesy of HEINZ-GLAS