Global Glass Industry Meets at Şişecam's 40th International Glass Conference

The 40th Şişecam International Glass Conference, organized by Şişecam and recognized as one of the most comprehensive knowledge-sharing platforms in the glass sector, has begun in Istanbul.

This year's conference, held under the theme "United to Innovate: A Future-Focused Transformation of Energy & Glass," brings together leading representatives of the glass sector, academia and technology experts. The event addresses topics driving the sector's transformation, including decarbonization, energy efficiency, sustainability and digitalization.

"Sustainability Is No Longer a Choice"
Can Yücel, General Director of Şişecam, delivered the opening remarks of the conference, noting that the glass sector is undergoing significant transformation centered on sustainability.

Yücel emphasized that efforts to make glass more functional, lighter and more sustainable are ongoing, and stated that sustainability has become a fundamental transformation area shaping the entire value chain, going beyond a long-term vision.

Pointing out that glass production is an energy-intensive sector, Yücel noted that environmental and operational challenges can only be overcome through collective intelligence, innovation and strong partnerships, saying that Şişecam aims to pioneer this transformation with its 50 years of research and development experience.

Fatih Birol: "We Call This the Electricity Age"
Fatih Birol, the conference's keynote speaker, offered assessments regarding the fundamental dynamics of global energy transformation.

Noting that energy systems worldwide are increasingly moving toward electrification, Birol said that renewable energy and nuclear energy will gain greater importance in the coming period.

Stating that the increase in electricity demand is driven by three key factors, Birol listed these as artificial intelligence-powered data centers, electric vehicles and increased air conditioning use due to climate change.

Birol said, "We are gradually transitioning from the oil and gas era to the electricity era. Artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and climate-driven cooling needs are among the most important drivers of electrification. For this reason, we define the period we are in as the electricity age."

Financing Decarbonization Takes Center Stage
At a session titled "Securing the Transition: Financing the Decarbonization of Energy-Intensive Industry" held as part of the conference, financing the transition to low-carbon production in energy-intensive sectors was discussed.

The session addressed accelerating decarbonization investments in industry, effective use of public and private sector financing sources, and the economic dimensions of sustainable transformation.

A Platform Shaping the Future of the Sector
With its forty-year history, the Şişecam International Glass Conference is counted among the world's most respected glass conferences, and continues this year to serve as an important platform shedding light on the sector's future in sustainable production, energy transformation and technological innovation.