Turkey, Among Biggest Glassware Producers
Turkish glass industry is among the top 5 in the world in production and exports glassware and glass containers. Labor-intensive production in warehouses which has its roots in 18th and 19th centuries has been maintained until 1930s in Turkey.
Turkey switched to modern industrial production in 1935. The capacity of Turkish Glass Industry could only meet the domestic demand for glass containers and house wares until 1960s.New investments in 1960 helped to start production of flat glass, auto glass, industrial glass products and fiberglass.
Expansion of the construction industry and increased housing needs boosted the demand for flat glass and glass household goods. Encouragement of export-oriented growth policies during 1980s made the glass industry one of the industries with the fastest export growth. With the expansion of the export markets during 1990s the industry increased both its domestic production capacity and investments abroad.
New factories were built in Russia, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Italy on the subject of glass and glass chemicals. The number of Turkish companies established abroad exceeded 10 during 2000s.
Turkish glass industry has 8% share within the total glass production worldwide. It is the top fourth country in glassware production worldwide, and top third country in Europe.It is top tenth country in fiberglass production worldwide.Turkey’s total exports is equal to 1,1 billion dollars. Pace of growth in exports is 15%.Turkey has 5% share in global glassware exports.Main markets for Turkish exports are Italy, Germany, Russia, Israel, Britain, Egypt and France .
Turkey’s total production in glass industry is USD 1,9 billion. The value of total sales is 2,8 billion.Investment volume between 1999 and 2008 is 1,9 billion dollars. Domestic production capacity is 3,2 million tons.Total employment in glass industry is 12 thousand
