Glass packaging: Verallia plans to consolidate and close plants

The review shows that consolidating production at three sites – accompanied by targeted investments in the modernization of more energy-efficient furnaces – is the best solution under the changed conditions, according to the company.

Against this backdrop, the Essen site has been subjected to a specific analysis. This could involve a relocation of production volumes to Bad Wurzach, Neuburg, and Wirges. The measure could potentially lead to the closure of the site and the loss of around 300 jobs.

Market for glass packaging in sharp decline since 2023
The background to this is the massive slowdown in demand for glass packaging. After several years of average volume growth of around 2% per year until 2020, the European market went through several phases of slowdown during the Covid-19 pandemic. A recovery after the pandemic was followed by a significant 13% decline in volume in 2023. As a result, the market has stabilized at a structurally lower level and is below the pre-crisis level of 2019.