The International Congress on Glass (ICG), one of the world’s leading organisations in the field of glass science and technology, organised the ICG Spring School 2026, sponsored by Şişecam and held in Lloret del Mar, Spain, between April 19 to 24, 2026. Held every two years, the program brought together academia and industry on the same platform and hosted a wide range of participants, from international graduate students and young professionals to industry representatives and academics.
As part of the program, which aligns with Şişecam’s sustainability vision, key challenges and solution areas for achieving sustainability in glass production were discussed in detail. Topics ranging from furnace design and raw material selection to melting processes and recycling focused on reducing carbon footprint, while the critical role of glass and glass-ceramic materials in clean energy production was also highlighted.
Key subjects of the program included composition–structure–property relationships in glass, modelling approaches for developing new glass formulations, and artificial intelligence applications. In addition to theoretical knowledge, participants gained multidimensional learning experience through content based on real industrial applications. Reinforcing Şişecam’s active role in the global glass ecosystem, the event encouraged interdisciplinary interaction, created a strong international networking environment, and paved the way for new collaborations.
Şişecam contributed to the future of glass
As part of ICG Spring School 2026, Şişecam executives also shared their knowledge and experience with participants. Dr Gökce Yüce, Digital Technologies and Simulation Services Manager, and Dr Gülin Demirok, Glass Fibre Product Development Specialist and Project Manager of the “Efficiency Management Program,” delivered lectures to students during the program.
In her presentation, Dr Yüce discussed the architecture of digital twins for glass melting furnaces, with a focus on the integration of process data with physics-based and data-driven models. Dr Demirok shared insights into the effects of alternative raw materials influence melting and fining/foaming behaviours in E-Glass batches, offering insights into more sustainable and efficient glass fibre production.