Vidrala has started up its largest glass furnace in the Iberian Peninsula after an investment of close to €100 million.
The container glass manufacturer completed the renovation and commissioning of a furnace at its Gallo Vidrio plant in the town of Marinha Grande, Portugal.
The company said the furnace was designed with the best available technologies and highly electrified, which will help to reduce its CO2 emissions.
It said the furnace will increase the factory's capacity by more than 50% to meet anticipated growth of the market and to guarantee long-term supply.
Vidrala said the facility has been enabled with digital and process automation technology.
The new production lines are equipped with flexible machines, which can make containers of different sizes and shapes.
The modern production and inspection technology will result in a higher level of quality and better customer service, the group said.
In addition, the layout of the facility has been designed to offer the best conditions in the sector in terms of ergonomics and well-being in the workplace, to create a safer and more comfortable working environment.
The glass producer said the investment is part of a large multi-year plan for industrial development in Portugal.
The logistics infrastructure will be expanded with the construction of new warehouses, a transport fleet expansion, as well as investment in its own renewable electricity generation facilities.