Stoelzle Glass USA has launched a $100 million furnace upgrade at its Monaca, PA, USA, facility.

The container glass manufacturer said it was a major milestone in its ambition to become the leading premium glass packaging supplier in the country.

The modernisation will expand domestic production capacity, elevate quality and operational performance, and introduce modern glassmaking technologies designed to support the needs of spirits, food, beverage, and consumer brands in the USA.

The Monaca furnace will be completely rebuilt later this year. Once operational, the new installation will increase melting capacity to approximately 400 tons per day.

Dr. August Grupp, CEO of Stoelzle, said: “Our customers need a premium glass manufacturing partner they can rely on in the United States.

“This transformation will strengthen our glass quality, forming capabilities, process control, operational reliability, and decoration potential.

"It is a major step forward in delivering dependable domestic supply with the expertise, consistency, precision, and quality level US and global premium brands expect.”

Stoelzle Glass USA will partner with international glass technology providers to modernise the entire production platform at Monaca.

The upgrade includes:

· A complete replacement of the batching and glass delivery systems, which will be designed and installed by the EME Group.

· The construction of a next-generation glass furnace in partnership with the Sorg Group.

The new furnace will be approximately 80% larger than the current installation and more than 25% more energy efficient, supported by increased electrical boost capability.

· The installation of a new forming machine supplied by Bucher Emhart Glass, dedicated to the production of premium spirits bottles. The new equipment will increase Stoelzle’s large-format spirits capacity by more than 25%.

· New annealing lehrs supplied by Antonini, designed to further improve bottle consistency, visual quality, and throughput.

The expansion extends across the entire facility, from raw material handling and batch preparation to forming, inspection, conveying, and packaging-related operations.

Upgraded process controls and production technologies are expected to further improve visual consistency while reducing appearance-related defects.