The trend for using glass as a packaging material for food and drink is here to stay, stated Vetropack.

In its latest financial report the container glass manufacturer said consumers are increasingly health-conscious and environmentally aware when they shop, which is continuing to boost demand for glass.

The Swiss-headquartered group grew net sales to CHF 361.2 million ($365.6 million) in the first half of the year, an increase of 5.8%.

The group said it had responded to the increased demand by expanding capacity. It invested CH47.3 million ($47.8 million) in the first half of the year.

Investments focused a new coloured- glass furnace and an overhaul of the production systems at the Nemšová, Slovakia glassworks.

Work was also done to prepare for a new furnace in Ukraine planned for the second half of the year.

In its outlook for the rest of the year, it said it expects the market environment to remain consistently favourable.