Şişecam, a prominent player in the glass manufacturing industry, has recently unveiled its annual Sustainability Report, highlighting its environmental accomplishments and initiatives throughout 2023.
The report provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s activities across various sectors, including architectural glass, industrial glass, glass packaging, glassware, chemicals, and energy, which took place between January 1 and December 31, 2023.
The architectural glass sector is a significant focus for Şişecam, encompassing a diverse range of products such as flat glass, patterned glass, mirrors, laminated glass, coated glass, and solar glass. With state-of-the-art production facilities located in Turkey, Bulgaria, Italy, Russia, India, and Egypt, the company has achieved an impressive annual output of approximately 4.3 million tons of flat and patterned glass.
In discussing Şişecam’s sustainability initiatives, CEO Görkem Elverici emphasized the company’s commitment to embedding sustainable practices throughout its operations. Throughout the year, Şişecam made considerable strides to enhance its environmental efforts, including investments in a port operation in California aimed at optimizing logistical efficiency. The company focused on reducing its overall environmental footprint and enhancing its capabilities in frosted and solar energy glass production.
According to an organizational materiality matrix, key priorities for Şişecam’s management and stakeholders revolve around critical issues such as climate change, minimizing clean water usage, promoting circular production (which emphasizes waste reduction and pollution minimization), and fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion within the workforce.
One of the most innovative initiatives highlighted in the report is the introduction of the “Plant of the Future” business model. Elverici described this model as a transformative approach designed to significantly reduce energy consumption across the company. “By implementing this model, we aim to reduce our energy consumption through cutting-edge technologies and alternative energy sources, develop environmentally friendly production models, and cut carbon emissions generated during glass production with our renewable energy projects,” he stated.
A vital component of this forward-thinking model is the commitment to increasing the use of renewable energy in production processes. Elverici announced that Şişecam aims to boost its renewable energy consumption eightfold by 2030, with a target installed renewable energy capacity of 53 MWp dedicated to self-consumption in its production facilities. In addition to the ongoing 10 MWp solar energy investments, the company has applied for an additional 39 MW capacity through solar and wind energy projects.
Şişecam is also placing a strong emphasis on research and development, dedicating 63.5% of its total R&D budget in 2023 to sustainability initiatives. The company has further cemented its commitment to environmentally responsible practices by joining notable alliances such as the European Solar Photovoltaic Industry Alliance and the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance.
As Şişecam moves forward, its robust sustainability framework and strategic initiatives underscore a proactive approach to environmental stewardship in the glass industry. Through continued innovation and dedication, Şişecam is not only enhancing its operational efficiency but also setting a benchmark for sustainable practices in manufacturing.
Source:Sişecam Report with additional information added by GlassBalkan
