Weeks after Şişecam commissioned a $30 million coated glass line in Italy, the company announced that it had completed construction on its new flat glass facility and TR9 line in Tarsus, Turkey.

Company officials say that, backed by a more than $360 million investment, the TR9 furnace and line will have an annual gross production capacity of 432,000 tons. This will make it the largest flat glass facility built by Şişecam and one of the highest-capacity flat glass facilities worldwide.

“The commissioning of the new line will further strengthen Şişecam’s flat glass production capability and significantly enhance our competitive position in global markets,” says CEO Can Yücel. “Our facility, which will supply clear flat glass products to the domestic market, will also provide base glass for the coating line we will soon commission in Tarsus. These value-added products will serve as inputs for our architectural glass product groups. As a result, we expect improved capacity utilization and stronger margin resilience, while efficiencies in supply chain and logistics will further enhance working capital performance.”

Officials add that as part of the investment, Şişecam’s sand preparation facility, located within the same complex as the TR9 line, is also ready for production. The sand used in glass manufacturing will be processed in the facility and transferred to the furnace. In addition, the company’s capacity expansion of its limestone/dolomite processing facility is complete.

With the new facility, Şişecam’s flat glass production capacity will exceed 5 million tons.