Gas price also hinders the glass industry
Business
The war in Ukraine is also affecting the glazing industry because gas and energy prices have risen significantly – by up to 35 percent. The situation is also tense for the Salzburg glass industry itself.
The Pilkington company, for example, processes safety glass, fire protection glass or entire glass facades in Bischofshofen.
A lot of energy is required for glass processing
Production takes place in Italy and Germany. The glass tanks are heated there with gas. A lot of energy is required for glass melting, shaping and processing. That makes production expensive, explains company boss Hubert Schwarz, spokesman for the glass industry in the Salzburg Chamber of Commerce: “In March, the gas price rose by more than 30 percent. Finally it sank again a little. In order to be reasonably profitable, we have to pass the prices on to our customers.”
New technologies are currently still in the research stadium. Many in the glass industry also dream of becoming independent of the gas supply as quickly as possible. However, the energy consumption in this branch is very high.