A global leader in the glass and chemicals industries, Şişecam celebrates its 89th year of life. The company started its journey in 1935 with only 400 employees in Türkiye and has now become a global powerhouse. With its expertise, innovative approach, and advanced technologies, the company is one of the world’s leading players in its fields.
Şişecam’s CEO Görkem Elverici shared his thoughts on this significant milestone: “Şişecam was founded in 1935 as a bold step by the young Turkish Republic to meet the urgent glass needs of the nation. The first task was to produce kerosene lamps and medicine bottles which were the priority production needs of the time. Today, we are the only global player operating in all core areas of glass production. We are the largest player of glassware in the world, one of the top three in soda ash, and among the top five in glass packaging and flat glass. We also lead globally in chromium chemicals.
“Şişecam was established by Türkiye İş Bankası under the vision of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a global leader respected worldwide. We proudly celebrate our 89th anniversary as a diverse global family of more than 24,000 employees representing 35 nationalities and speaking 23 different languages.”
Elverici highlighted Şişecam’s continuous progress and commitment to its founding principles. “Our journey, which started with 400 employees 89 years ago, now spans 14 countries across 4 continents. As we mark this milestone in 2024, we have successfully completed the digital transformation phase of our growth, enhancing our abilities to make fast and strategic decisions using data.
“At Şişecam, sustainability is not a choice but a responsibility. Under our CareforNext sustainability strategy, we launched many impactful projects in 2024, focusing on combating climate change, using resources efficiently, adopting innovative technologies, and reducing energy consumption. These initiatives not only help us shape a better future but also lead the way in transforming the glass industry. In line with our sustainability and digitalization aspirations, we have recently introduced a new platform that we call ‘Plant of The Future.’
“We believe that this platform will drive technological advancements in the industry while creating opportunities for collaboration through an open innovation model. Together, we aim to shape the future of the glass industry by creating next-in-class solutions and build a sustainable world for future generations.”