Vetropack had already begun systematically shutting down production at the Ukrainian glass works – PrJSC Vetropack Gostomel in Kyiv – for security reasons on February 24 2022. All employees are suspended temporarily from their duties on full pay.
“We are glad that we chose to suspend production in time. By doing this, we have been able to prevent there from being any victims among our colleagues as a result of these events,” explained Johann Reiter, CEO of Vetropack Holding Ltd.
The precise extent of the damage to the glass works in Gostomel is not yet known. “The situation on site is difficult and also dangerous due to the potential of further military activity,” said Johann. “It may therefore take a long time until we get a clearer picture of the situation at the site. It is already certain that parts of the production were severely damaged. Restarting production will not be possible in the near term.”
In Ukraine, Vetropack produces a variety of glass packaging with three furnaces and eight production lines. The Gostomel site is one of Vetropack Group’s nine European production sites. Glass has been manufactured there since 1912. In 2021, Vetropack Gostomel contributed approximately 10 percent to Vetropack Group’s revenue and EBITDA. In 2006, Vetropack Group took over the site as part of its continuous growth strategy.