Şişecam, a global player in the glass and chemicals industries, announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2026. During the first three months of the year, the company's consolidated net sales reached 57.5 billion TRY. In this period, the share of international sales in total sales stood at 61%, while total investments reached 5.7 billion TRY and exports amounted to 228 million USD. Şişecam's production performance also remained strong during the same period. In the first quarter, the company produced 1.3 million tons of glass, 1.1 million tons of soda ash, and 0.9 million tons of industrial raw materials.
“2026: A Year Testing Resilience"
Commenting on the first quarter results, Şişecam CEO Can Yücel highlighted the global economic outlook: “2026 began under the influence of geopolitical developments, concerns regarding energy supply, and persistent inflationary pressures. Escalating tensions in the Middle East have reinforced expectations of new cost pressures and a potential wave of inflation globally. Against this backdrop, while supporting the continuation of tight monetary policies, these dynamics have also highlighted the need for companies to build more resilient and flexible structures.
In this environment, Şişecam has maintained its risk-focused approach by leveraging the advantages of its global footprint and continuing to expand its value-added product portfolio. We are carrying forward the balanced and disciplined management approach we implemented throughout 2025 to 2026 without interruption. While continuing our technology-driven transformation, we are concurrently accelerating our energy efficiency and cost optimization programs and fortifying our supply chain."
Investments Support Growth
Emphasizing that Şişecam made a strong start to 2026 in terms of investment performance, Yücel stated: “We began the year by commissioning investments that will support our revenues in the medium and long term. At our Kaposvár facility in Hungary, our first glass packaging investment in Europe, we ignited our first furnace for trial production. At our flat glass facilities in Bulgaria and Italy, we commissioned two new coated glass lines, nearly doubling our coating capacity in Europe and expanding our value-added product portfolio."
At our greenfield flat glass investment in Tarsus, we commissioned the TR9 line, creating an annual gross production capacity of 432,000 tons, and reached one of the largest flat glass production complexes in the world.
In addition, at our Northern Italy Flat Glass Plant, we completed planned maintenance and cold repair works and restarted production. Through our planned downtime management, we optimized capacity utilization across our other facilities in Europe, and this step contributed positively by approximately 25 million Euro's to our EBIT."
Strengthening Financial Structure and Cash Flow
Yücel also highlighted developments on the financing side, stating: “At the beginning of 2026, we issued a USD 500 million Eurobond through our UK-based subsidiary. This transaction, which attracted USD 1.7 billion in demand, once again confirmed the confidence of international investors in Şişecam. This transaction, combined with the long-term funding secured over the past year, has significantly strengthened our ability to manage liquidity in the face of global uncertainties."
Focus for the Remainder of the Year: Efficiency and Value Creation
Following his assessment of the first quarter of 2026, Yücel shared his outlook for the rest of the year: “The performance we delivered in the first quarter demonstrates that we are progressing on a solid ground. For the remainder of the year, we will continue to maintain our balanced and disciplined management approach, maximize the efficiency of our newly commissioned investments, enhance company value, and prioritize profitability.
In this context, we aim to build a more rational and value‑added portfolio while further strengthening our customer-centric approach. Leveraging our strong financial discipline, expanding value-added product portfolio, high-quality customer base, and the strength derived from Şişecam's 90 years of experience, we will continue to strengthen our competitive position in global markets."
About Şişecam
Şişecam is a story of progress...
Founded in 1935 by İş Bankası with the vision, Şişecam was established to build Türkiye's glass industry. Over the decades, Şişecam has grown from a local initiative into a global player in glass and chemicals.
As the only global company operating in all core areas of glass production, Şişecam is one of the world's top five producers in its sectors.
Şişecam operates across four continents and 13 countries, including Türkiye, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Egypt, India, and the United States. Şişecam plays a pioneering role in flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, chemicals, auto glass, glass fiber, mining, energy, and recycling industries. By placing innovation and technology at the core of its operations, Şişecam delivers its products to customers in over 150 countries through its robust supply chain.
Şişecam makes a meaningful difference in its industries with 90 years of expertise, a skilled workforce, and the use of smart technologies. Supported by more than 22,000 employees, Şişecam is steadily advancing toward its goal of becoming one of the top three global producers in its core industries.
With its CareForNext strategy, Şişecam works to ensure the sustainability of the glass and chemicals industries from the perspectives of protecting the planet, empowering communities, and transforming lives in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Şişecam is pursuing a better future through technology and innovation and continues its story of progress together with its entire ecosystem.
Learn more: www.sisecam.com