27 May 2023

Vetropack resumes production in Ukraine

Vetropack, a glass packaging manufacturer, is cautiously ramping up operations again at its Gostomel plant in Ukraine.

The factory in 2022 and 2023. Vetropack’s Ukrainian site PrJSC Gostomel was severely damaged by a military attack in 2022. Significant clean-up work and repairs have been done. © Vertopak

The company began heating up one of two remaining furnaces this week. The production facility in Gostomel had been severely damaged during a Russian military attack at the end of February 2022. The production of glass packaging is starting again at PrJSC Gostomel near Kyiv. with the first new glass likely to be produced in June. The heat-up of the second furnace is set to follow soon.

Vetropack is initially resuming the production of white glass for food and drinks, as this is where the company sees the greatest demand.

The priority in resuming operations is to protect the workforce. Vetropack has developed various engineering scenarios to ensure energy supply in the event of blackouts. The company remodeled the electrical distribution system and installed additional generators. Corresponding contingency plans have also been put in place for possible gas supply disruptions.

Vetropack set up a foundation in the summer of 2022 to support employees whose house or flat was destroyed or who were seriously injured. Employees from other locations, business partners and customers donated money for this purpose – CHF 960,000 were collected in just a few months. At the beginning of 2023, the Vetropack Gostomel Foundation began disbursing the first funds. By April 2023, Vetropack had supported more than 50 employees.

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