Glass production: industry prospects

In our country is engaged in the production of glass for more than two thousand companies. Depending on the specialization are several types of such plants. The largest percentage accounted for organizations focused on the manufacture of glass, as well as window and plate glass.

In a separate group can be distinguished enterprises producing goods for the needs of chemical, medical and related industries to them. There are also factories producing tableware and various handicrafts. Most plants have separate workshops for the manufacture of such products, but there are those who dare to make it their specialty.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union until the early 2000s, the production of glass was not that the decline (especially compared to many other industries), but certainly not the most experienced of simpler times. "Zero" can be called a recovery period: during the decade figures have more than doubled.

Number of output for the year increased to glass containers 14.2 billion pieces (was 5.6 billion pcs.), up to 210 sheets mln.m. ² (was 80 mln.m. ²). Experts' StekloSouz "Russian predict in the near future achievement indicators Soviet glass industry for 1985. (16.5 billion units and 300 mln.m. ²). It is assumed that this is a happy time comes already in 2015 or later.

Separately want to stay at the glass container. Increase in its production due primarily to the growth requirements for the producers of beverages and food. The need to move to a clean packaging in environmental terms, of course, could not affect. In 2012, the proportion of packaging was more than 70% of the total glass production.

Of course, there are also unpleasant factors. First of all, it's strong dependence on the behavior of financial, transport and energy markets. Uncoordinated actions of monopolies, the government and the banking sector lead to additional pressure. It was particularly noticeable in the period 2011-2012.

Adversely affected by the financial crisis, which has affected most of the major sectors: increased energy prices fell solvency and credit availability. Due to this reduced production volumes were curtailed promising investment program, fire staff. High bank interest also could affect positively. In general, a few years have been spent only on overcoming the consequences of the crisis. Among the factors that hinder the development of the glass industry, applies not the transparency of public bodies. Representatives of the "StekloSouz" Russia considers it necessary to establish a strict system of public administration. According to them, the faster will be enhanced administrative impact on monopoly, whose purpose is solely to seek excessive profits, the better.

Lack of strict regulation may lead to the destruction of positive trends and to nullify all efforts to stabilize the domestic production of glass. Only competent and suits all parties the authorities' decision on the above issues will allow the glass industry to look confidently to the future and increase the pace of development. A lot depends on how quickly it will be able to find consensus.

As already mentioned, happened a few years ago the crisis led to a decline in demand for products in the following years. The situation has now stabilized and favorable developments (real growth of the economy, the absence of new shocks, etc.) experts give the most optimistic forecasts. One of them is the fact that until 2020 the first production of glass per year will increase by 10-12%. However, it is achievable, again, only if there is clear and balanced program.