Last week prime minister John Key officially opened a new glassmaking furnace for O-I New Zealand in Penrose that will create 38 new jobs and mean the beverage bottle maker can increase its production by 90,000 tonnes a year.Its recycling facilities for p
Last week prime minister John Key officially opened a new glassmaking furnace for O-I New Zealand in Penrose that will create 38 new jobs and mean the beverage bottle maker can increase its production by 90,000 tonnes a year.
Its recycling facilities for post consumer glass will also increase with capability rising from 84,000 tonnes a year to 154,000 tonnes.
“O-I’s new furnace uses the latest in global glass manufacturing technologies to produce quality glass packaging to meet the short-term and long-term needs and expectations of our customers as well as New Zealand consumers,” O-I general manager Steve Bramlage said.
“The new furnace uses narrow neck press and blow technology to further lightweight bottles, providing a significant reduction in energy use while maintaining bottle proportions and premium design cues. This significant investment in our Auckland plant highlights our commitment to supporting the future growth of New Zealand’s food and beverage industries.”
The company was founded in 1922 and uses mostly renewable energy from geothermal and hydro sources. The recycled content of its wine bottles is 70% and it does a lot of recycling work with councils.
