Şişecam Group’s €42 million flat glass furnace in Targovishte Bulgaria was fired up at a ceremony on July 2nd.
The ceremony was attended by over 300 attendees. These included Sisecam’s European flat glass customers, architects, sector professionals and government dignatories as well as company employees.
Vice Chairman and CEO Professor Ahmet Kirman stated that the Group had made its first investment in Bulgaria under Şişecam Chemicals since 1997.
He said: “We took our first step for new investments in Bulgaria in 2004.
“Our group laid the foundation for the flat glass, automotive glass and glassware production facilities in 2004.
“With this investment, we were bestowed with the title of the ‘Largest Greenfield Investor in Bulgaria’.
“After the glassware plant commenced production in 2005, our group commissioned the first float line in flat glass followed by the mirror, laminated glass and tempered glass lines in 2006, and put the automotive glass plant into operation in 2010.
“In 2013, the energy-saving coated glass production started. As Şişecam Group, we continue our operations with Trakya Glass Bulgaria EAD, Şişecam Automotive Bulgaria EAD and Paşabahçe Bulgaria EAD as well as Solvay Sodi in which we have ownership interest.”
He concluded: “Our group’s investments in Bulgaria have reached 600 million Euros in total so far. We will continue our investments in modernization and capacity increases in our Bulgarian manufacturing facilities.”
The ceremony was attended by the Мinister of Economy of Bulgaria Emil Karanikolov, the Member of Paårliament Venka Stoyanova, Targovishte Governor Mitko Staikov and Targovishte Mayor Dr. Darin Dimitrov.
