Container glass manufacturer Verallia has inaugurated a €33million furnace modernisation at its Burgos, Spain plant.
The furnace has become one of the largest in Europe following its reconstruction.
By combining the capacities of its two furnaces, the plant now produces 600 million glass bottles each year, mainly for the wine and spirits markets.
The export capacity of Verallia's Spanish customers and the growing sensitivity of consumers to glass make Spain a strategic country for the group.
For this reason and because of the site's proximity to one of the largest wine-growing regions (Castile and Leon, La Rioja and Castilla-La Mancha), the Burgos plant is well positioned to serve the many vineyards that have increased their production.
The €33 million investment increases the plant's production capacity from 560 to 600 million bottles per year.
It also makes the factory more flexible: its seven production lines are capable of simultaneously manufacturing up to eight different models, standard or customised.
This makes it possible to offer "more quickly, tailor-made solutions to our customers", said Paulo Pinto, General Manager of Verallia in Spain and Portugal during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Burgos plant where the new furnace was inaugurated.
The latest technologies and materials have been used in the reconstruction to improve the plant's energy efficiency and environmental impact.
This contributes to reducing fossil fuel consumption and minimising CO2 emissions, in line with Verallia's environmental commitments.
These renovations also improve the ergonomics and safety of the Burgos plant and thus the working conditions of its employees.
Michel Giannuzzi, Chairman and CEO of Verallia, said: "Our policy of sustained investment in Spain and in all our plants enable us to improve the operational excellence of our industrial facilities in order to become the preferred supplier of glass packaging.”
The Burgos site employs 230 people.
