Sisecam Group and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are establishing a partnership to increase the glass recycling rate in Turkey.
The ambitious €20 million glass recycling project demonstrates Sisecam’s commitment to using more recycled glass than raw material in its batch.
The EBRD is acquiring a minority stake in Sisecam Cevre Sistemleri, a newly established recycling arm of Sisecam, and is extending a €20 million loan to finance glass recycling equipment.
The Bank has also mobilized an additional €2 million loan from the Clean Technology Fund, a funding window of the Climate Investment Funds, as well as EU grants.
The joint initiative represents a response to the challenges in the Turkish glass recycling market.
Sisecam Cevre Sistemleri will provide its cullet suppliers with state-of-the-art equipment that they wouldn’t be able to invest in otherwise.
This equipment will increase suppliers’ collection and treatment capacities as well as improve the quality of the cullet, strengthening the entire glass recycling supply chain.
With over 21,000 employees, production in 13 countries, and sales in as many as 150 countries, Sisecam Group is a global actor in business fields including all main areas of glass such as flat glass, glassware, glass packaging and glass fiber, as well as soda and chrome compounds.
Sisecam has been operating for more than 80 years and is the third largest glassware, fourth largest glass packaging and fifth largest flat glass manufacturer in the world in terms of production capacity.
Professor Ahmet Kırman, Vice Chairman and CEO of Sisecam said:
“Sisecam is a group fully aware of its global responsibility as part of the international ecosystem, and sees the issue of sustainability not only in terms of financial continuity, but as a concept that integrates environment, natural resources, raw materials, consumption, customers, employees and values.
We have been working on one of the most comprehensive sustainability and social responsibility projects in Turkey since 2011 to support the transition into a ’recycling society’.
“With EBRD-supported projects, activities such as raising public awareness of separating glass waste at source, improving waste collection infrastructure, and modernising and increasing the capacity of recycling facilities have been undertaken, and the recycling rate has been increased from 8% to 19%.
“The new joint initiative will contribute to the industrialisation process of the glass recycling sector in Turkey and triple its production capacity, as well as providing know-how.
“I believe this unique partnership between Sisecam and the EBRD, our long-standing partner, will play a crucial role in the establishment of a sustainable glass recycling system in Turkey.”
Frederic Lucenet, EBRD Director for Manufacturing and Services, added: “Glass is infinitely recyclable and, unlike other materials, recycling doesn’t affect the quality of the final product.
“At the same time, the recycling rate in Turkey remains very low compared to more advanced western European economies.
“Utilising cullet glass waste is an economically driven decision.
“It considerably brings down glass production costs and has huge benefits for the environment in terms of energy and greenhouse gas savings.”
Pictured: (from left to right) Sisecam Topluluğu Chairman of the Board and General Manager Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman, and EBRD Manufacturing and Service Sectors Director Frederic Lucenet
