Pennekamp has successfully commissioned four new annealing lehrs at the Rubin Glass manufacturing facility in Pleven, Bulgaria, marking the third furnace-related project completed in partnership between the two companies. The installation reinforces a long-term collaboration focused on process reliability, automation, and energy-efficient glass production.

The turnkey project was delivered on schedule, coinciding with Rubin Glass’s 60th anniversary. From detailed engineering to installation, commissioning, and start-up, the project relied on close coordination between Rubin Glass’s production and maintenance teams and Pennekamp’s engineering specialists, ensuring a smooth and timely handover.

The project scope included four annealing lehrs designed for precise thermal control and consistent stress relief, supporting stable product quality at high production rates. These were integrated with complete hot-end handling systems, including cross conveyors and advanced 3-axis and 4-axis robotic servo stackers. This configuration enables automated, controlled handling of glass immediately after forming, improving line efficiency and operational safety. In addition, advanced cold-end coating systems were supplied to enhance surface protection and support downstream processing.

Energy efficiency was a central focus of the installation. All lehrs are equipped with Pennekamp’s latest-generation BLEU burner technology, an intelligent combustion system developed to reduce gas consumption while lowering harmful emissions. The solution supports Rubin Glass’s ongoing efforts to improve sustainability and reduce the environmental footprint of its manufacturing operations.