“Container glass industry can do up to 25% better than today!”

Schreuder’s keynote presentation was part of the Future Glass Forum, that focused on Industry 4.0 in container and hollow glassmaking. “Although we work and live in the twenty-first century, the container glass industry seems to be stuck in the past, caused by conservatism and the fear for new developments and/or changes in general”, according to Schreuders. “As a result, as of today and especially in comparison to other industries, the container glass industry is not nearly effective enough and is slowly but surely losing their competitiveness to other packing materials. Only a clear and convinced focus on sensor technology, closed loops and robotics, especially in the hot end forming phase, can improve the industry.

Proven technology

I am convinced that the container glass industry can do up to 25% better than today: making better bottles, being less dependent on employees, using less energy and less raw materials. My plea is not about future developments: we are doing this right now, in several factories in the world already. It is all about proven technology.”