The Global Glass Industry Convened in Istanbul at the 40th Şişecam International Glass Conference

Bringing together leading industry figures, academia, and the world of technology, the conference served as an important meeting point where critical topics shaping the future of the glass industry were addressed.

At the conference, which was organized this year under the theme 'United to Innovate: A Future-Focused Transformation of Energy & Glass,' topics at the heart of transformation, such as decarbonization, energy efficiency, and digitalization, were discussed comprehensively. Recognized as one of the world's most prestigious platforms in its field, the event hosted strategic discussions that will shape the sustainable future of the glass industry.

In his opening speech, Şişecam’s CEO Can Yücel highlighted the scientific depth of glass and the ongoing transformation of the industry, stating: “The quest to produce glass that is more functional, more sustainable, and lighter is a journey with no finish line. Sustainability is a core transformation agenda shaping our entire value chain. Glass is, by nature, a highly energy-intensive industry. As an industry, we must work together, innovate, and build strong partnerships to find real solutions to the environmental and operational challenges of our energy-heavy structure. At Şişecam, our goal is to lead these sector-wide solutions with our 50 years of strong R&D experience. The Şişecam International Glass Conference is an important platform that supports us in achieving this goal.”

Among the event's keynote speakers, Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), assessed the impact of the global energy transition on industry and outlined a low-carbon production roadmap for the glass sector.  

The conference also featured a special session titled “Securing the Transition: Financing the Decarbonization of Energy-Intensive Industry,” bringing together Dr. Fatih Birol and Gianpiero Nacci, Managing Director for Climate Strategy and Delivery at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The discussion focused on financing the low-carbon transition of energy-intensive industries, the investment tools needed to accelerate this transition, and the alignment of public and private sector funding mechanisms.

Davide Cappellino, President AGC Architectural Glass Europe and Americas focused on the challenges and opportunities for the European flat glass industry in the context of sustainability, while architect Murat Tabanlıoğlu discussed the role of glass in design and architecture and its contribution to spatial experience.

Throughout the two-day conference, panels and parallel sessions featured experts who engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as the innovation ecosystem, the industrial-scale application of fundamental research, AI-powered production solutions, and digitalization. The conference paved the way for new collaborations among industry stakeholders, establishing a strong, shared vision for the sustainable future of glass.

Şişecam R&TD: The Wisdom of Glass

Şişecam, which pioneered corporate R&D activities in Türkiye in 1976, proudly celebrates the 50th anniversary of its well-established R&D journey this year. Today, Şişecam Research and Technological Development (R&D), with its 31 specialized laboratories and more than 300 experts, plays a central role in shaping the company’s sustainability-focused technology and innovation vision.

Among Şişecam’s glass production technologies, key highlights include the “Şişecam Furnace Model,” which has eliminated external dependency in furnace design, the “Heat-Ox System,” which reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions, and hybrid electric furnace technologies.

On the product side, heatable triple-silver vacuum-based multi-layer low-emissivity coatings stand out by delivering energy efficiency in both architectural and automotive applications, while also extending the range of electric vehicles by reducing battery consumption.

Other innovative solutions in the company’s portfolio include a special anti-reflective coating technology developed for the showcases at Anıtkabir, the “Stem Zero” ion shielding technology offering ultra-thin glassware with twice the resistance to breakage, and “Ultra-Light Bottle” solutions that help reduce the carbon footprint of logistics.

These advanced technologies clearly demonstrate Şişecam’s global strength and its expertise in precision engineering.