The story of the Pöchlarn glassworks in Lower Austria began in 1979 with the establishment of a new production facility under Stölzle-Oberglas. As part of a restructuring process, a state-of-the-art glass plant was constructed in Pöchlarn, while operations in Graz were discontinued. The new site quickly became a key player in Austria’s glass industry.
A milestone was reached in 1986 when Vetropack acquired the Pöchlarn plant, marking the Group’s first step in geographical expansion beyond Switzerland. This acquisition also led to the establishment of Vetropack Austria GmbH, strengthening the Group’s local presence in the Austrian market. Situated near the Wachau region, the Pöchlarn plant has two melting furnaces and produces 470 tonnes of packaging glass daily.
However, Pöchlarn is more than just a production site; it is also a centre of innovation and knowledge within the Vetropack Group. It is home to the Group’s Training Centre, where employees from all Vetropack locations receive hands-on training on real production machinery supported by augmented reality technology. The Innovation Centre in Pöchlarn also plays a significant role in developing new technologies and advancing sustainable glass production.
The Pöchlarn plant also occupies an important place in the history of the circular economy in Austria. In 1989, Vetropack and Stölzle-Oberglas co-founded Austria Glas Recycling GmbH, a pivotal initiative for collecting and recycling used packaging glass nationwide.
With its strong production base, commitment to training and focus on innovation and sustainability, Pöchlarn glassworks continues to shape the future of glassmaking in Austria – and across Europe.