2022 International Year of Glass

2022 International Year of Glass Şişecam Board Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman stated, "Under the leadership of the International Commission on Glass (ICG), with contributions from Şişecam, we have entered 2022, proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) as the 'International Year of Glass,' in an atmosphere where the importance of sustainability is increasingly recognized and embraced. 2022, a year that will emphasize the technological, scientific and economic importance of glass—which has played a pioneering role in the development of civilizations throughout human history and holds strategic importance in every aspect of our lives today—will be an important opportunity to further open glass's unlimited development path and underscore its strategic importance for a sustainable world." Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman noted that with its 5,000-year history, glass has been a special material of strategic importance and a solution partner for humanity across a broad spectrum, saying, "Glass is a highly strategic material that has always positively affected human life, shaped the socioeconomic fabric of modern societies, and stands at the center of the activities we carry out every day. I believe the modern age can also be called the Glass Age; I think the proclamation of 2022 as the International Year of Glass is a very important step taken for us to advance more rapidly in this age."   The world is entering 2022, proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) as the 'International Year of Glass,' in an atmosphere where the importance of sustainability is increasingly recognized and embraced, with new targets and projects in this field. 2022, a year that will emphasize the technological, scientific and economic importance of glass—which has played a pioneering role in the development of civilizations throughout human history and holds strategic importance in every aspect of our lives today—will be an important opportunity to further expand glass's unlimited development areas and underscore its strategic importance for a sustainable world. Speaking on the occasion of 2022 being declared the International Year of Glass, Şişecam Board Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman expressed that with its 5,000-year history, glass is a very special material that has been a solution partner for humanity across a broad spectrum from past to present, and stated: "Glass is a highly valuable material that has affected human life for centuries and shaped the socioeconomic fabric of modern societies; it stands at the center of the activities we carry out every day. While the functions and uses assigned to glass and glass products in today's world are increasing at a scale that will stretch everyone's imagination, glass; from transportation to shelter, from lighting to production, from health to food, from communication to art, touches humanity in every aspect of life. I believe the modern age can also be called the Glass Age, and I think 2022 is an important step in advancing this age further. Şişecam, the global player in the glass and chemicals sectors that founded the glass industry in Turkey, with its production network reaching 14 countries on 4 continents and 22,000 employees, will continue as an influential company with a say in glass's global future, just as it did in its past in our country, and will continue to create sustainable value for all stakeholders during the Glass Year," he said.

"Şişecam also provided important contributions to the proclamation of 2022 as the International Year of Glass"

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman, expressing that the glass sector, with its continuously evolving and expanding areas of use, promises endless potential in creating a sustainable future and providing long-term value, said, "With its unique properties that contribute to sustainability, glass shapes the future, economic life, technology and trends with its high value-added products. The Glass Year is also of great importance in terms of emphasizing on a global scale the role undertaken by the glass sector, which produces solutions toward environmental protection and energy savings in the fight against climate change and aims to leave a better planet for future generations. Şişecam played a pioneering role in the process of proclaiming 2022 as the Glass Year and was an important stakeholder that ensured ICG's application was supported by leading institutions from different sectors. At Şişecam's request, approximately 40 institutions and organizations supported ICG's application to the United Nations. On this occasion, I would like to once again thank our Permanent Representative to the UN, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, and all Civil Society Organizations, universities, holding companies and enterprises that responded to our support request and contributed to strengthening our country's position in the global glass industry. The International Year of Glass will be a great opportunity for the widespread adoption of circular economy practices globally and to bring sustainable development efforts to the fore. In this context, networking opportunities between industry and academia will be strengthened, and processes and products aimed at circular economy and sustainability goals will be showcased," he said. Noting that today there are 1,200 companies and more than 2,000 glass production facilities worldwide implementing glass's transformation daily, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman continued his remarks: "Şişecam, which marks the starting point of glass's history in Turkey, is the only global company operating in all basic areas of glass. At the same time, with its R&D capabilities and sustainability-focused activities, it is a pioneering organization designing the future of glass, which has a 5,000-year history. As a world company that respects individuals and the environment, we have been adding value to glass since 1935 with our value-added products, touching people's lives with 'glass' around the world. I sincerely believe that the International Year of Glass will be an important opportunity for the world to get to know this very special material more closely and will increase global focus on glass." Stating that Şişecam ranks among the top 2 producers globally in the glass tableware sector and among the top 5 in glass packaging and flat glass sectors, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman said, "Şişecam, which continues its operations with the goal of becoming one of the world's top 3 players in its main areas of operation, is among the companies that laid the foundation for corporate R&D culture in Turkey by combining the strength derived from production with technology development capabilities. It has an R&D history of nearly half a century. We bring the unique technologies created by Şişecam's Science, Technology and Design Center, which ranks among Europe's largest R&D centers, together with our innovative products, strengthening our leading position in every area. Additionally, we view the concept of a sustainable future as our most important priority and actively work to be an effective stakeholder on an international scale by creating long-term value for future generations. Through our Care For Next strategy, implemented within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we take responsibility to protect the planet, empower society and transform lives," he said. For 36 years, Şişecam has been organizing Glass Symposiums to advance glass science. Participants, including students, academics, industry experts and scientists from different countries around the world, have the opportunity through Şişecam International Glass Conferences to address the future of the glass sector and new technologies. The first session of the Şişecam International Glass Conference held this year under the theme "Glass is Future" was also dedicated to the 2022 International Year of Glass. ICG President Prof. Dr. Alicia Duran emphasized ICG's importance given to the Glass Year and Şişecam's contributions in this special session. The UN General Assembly has, over the past 60 years, proclaimed important areas with high international efforts and contributions to society as United Nations International Years, promoting international awareness and action in different fields. The International Commission on Glass (ICG), one of glass's most important global organizations, decided at its 2019 meeting held in Boston to submit the proposal for "2022 United Nations International Year of Glass" to the UN General Assembly. ICG's international year of glass proposal was accepted by the UN in May.