Owens-Illinois, Inc., (NYSE: OI) is one of the world's largest and most diversified manufacturers of glass and plastic packaging products, as well as the largest manufacturer of glass containers in the United States. Owens-Illinois supplies glass containers and plastic packaging to the food, beverage, drug, chemical, health care, personal care, beer, wine and liquor industries all over the word.
Owens-Illinois has approximately 30,000 employees and 140 manufacturing plants worldwide, including approximately 13,000 employees and 60 manufacturing facilities in the U. S. O-I has three glass manufacturing facilities and three plastic product plants located in Pennsylvania. All six of these plants use recycled materials in their manufacturing process.
O-I
is the largest user of recycled glass containers in the United
States, with nearly a million tons recycled annually. In addition,
O-I is the largest purchaser of bottle grade post-consumer recycled
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and one of the largest purchasers
of bottle grade post-consumer recycled HDPE (high-density-polyethylene)
plastic resins.
In communities around the globe, O-I has provided outreach and support in setting up recycling programs. The direct benefit of these programs is decreased consumption of raw materials, reduced emissions, and improved energy conservation. O-I also plays a vital role in the recycling community as an active supporter of the Keep America Beautiful Foundation and the National Recycling Coalition.
In 2002, the O-I glass plants in Pennsylvania purchased over 92,000 tons of recycled glass (cullet) from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Indiana and Canada. And in 2003, it's estimated that O-I purchased over 100,000 tons.
Don Neubert batch/furnace superintendent at the O-I Plant in Crenshaw, Pa., explained that O-I has material specifications for the recycled glass that they purchase. Those specifications are: 7/8 inch sizing, 0% contamination for ceramics and stones, and 5% or less of contamination for other colors of glass and materials. These specifications are necessary to reduce line breakage and unnecessary downtime at customer filling plants.
Mr.
Neubert explained that recycled glass is one of the most expensive
raw materials used in the glass making process. What is the reason
then for using recycled glass? It save on energy costs, improves
the efficiency of the glass furnaces, reduces needed landfill
space, and provides the desired glass composition - all together
reducing overall operating costs.
Mr. Neubert explained that O-I is able to use up to 50,000 tons of recycled glass a year and is always looking for good suppliers. If a company has a good supply of glass and can meet O-I material specifications, they should contact Phyllis Cresswell in Purchasing at 419-247-1580.
For more information about Owens-Illinois, visit www.o-i.com.