The Glass and Modern Technologies conference in Moscow on November 19 discussed ‘The competitiveness of the glass business in today's economy.’

The Forum was held on Russia’s Glass Industry Day. The event brought together leaders and experts from 14 countries and 42 regions of Russia. The conference was opened by StekloSouz President Viktor Ivanovich Osipov.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr Osipov said: “I am convinced that the work of this conference will be as constructive as always. It will be a significant step in solving the actual problems of the global glass industry.

Strengthening the position of the glass industry is impossible without the harmonious growth of science, engineering and related industries.”

Congratulating all the participants of the Forum, Mr Ivanovich read out greetings from the relevant ministries, branch of the Federal Union, head of the region and announced the start of the morning plenary session.

Further, the Secretary also emphasised the work of the International Commission on Glass’s (ICG) Peter Simurka.

In his report, he highlighted the major trends in the global glass industry, and emphasised that “to date, are presented to the glass all the new requirements, scientists and practices required to timely solve assigned tasks consumers, satisfy any requests.”

Experts from Russia, Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Poland, Turkey, Switzerland and other countries covered topics including: the design of factories, production equipment for glass, building glass furnaces for a new generation, a sharp improvement in the economy of plants, application of energy efficient technologies, technologies of industrial processing of cullet to the application of new materials, refractory materials, modern glazing of buildings and vehicles.

Attention was also paid to changes in existing legislation, in particular, producer responsibility for recycling products, the Draft Federal Law № 280796-6 to restrict the use of PET bottles for packaging beer, standardisation and other regulations, topical issues of the export orientation of the industry and the transition on import substitution.

Mr Osipov presented awards for managers and specialists of various companies in the industry, which this year have made substantial progress in the work of scientific and social activities: General Director of "Petersburg glass" Krepak F.A., General Director of Trading Company Russian Glass Gorlenko I.A., Sector Manager for the implementation of refractory products for the glass industry enterprises of JSC" Borovichi Refractories "Ermakova I.N., Associate Professor, Ph.D. teacher The first President of Russia B.N.Yeltsin Ural Federal University Vlasova.

The audience warmly congratulated Mikhail Nikolayevich Pavlushkin, vice president StekloSouz Russia, with the rank of ‘Honoured Worker of the glass industry.’

After the conference a festive gala dinner dedicated to the Day of the glass industry took place.

The next Glass and modern technologies - XXI forum will be on 9 and 10 June 2015 during the Mir Stekla exhibition.