Vetropack’s Croatian glass manufacturing facility has completed a milestone in the construction of its 500t/day furnace.
The final brick was ceremoniously driven into the crown of the flint furnace at Vetropack Straža, marking the symbolic end of the reconstruction phase.
The ceremony was officiated by the patrons of the furnace: Minister of Environment and Green Transition Marija Vučković, Managing Director Darko Šlogar, Finance Director Marija Špiljak and Production Director Božo Hršak who used a special mallet to drive the final brick into place.
The official programme continued inside the furnace, where it will soon hold around 500 tons of molten glass ready for production.
The furnace modernisation project started on September 2nd, 2024 and involved more than 300 external workers daily.
The oven is set to produce flint glass in December and set standards in efficiency and sustainability, said the company.
One highlight of the modernisation is the use of an NIS glass-blowing machine with servo drive – the first machine of its kind for the facility.
An optimised layout throughout the plant has improved the overall production flow to ensure production and energy efficiency.
The modernised facility is designed to reduce energy consumption and emissions, which helps minimise the carbon footprint and supports Vetropack's sustainability goals.
In addition, the new furnace also increases the throughput ratio, enabling the production of more glass per square metre – saving space and costs.
Mario Berc, Technical Manager at Vetropack Straža, said: “I am proud and looking forward to the first glass production with the new machine. The commissioning is a significant milestone for us.“
