Business and Finance: Glass stories
In the new issue of Biznis & Finansije magazine, check out our special feature on glass, inspired by the presentations and topics discussed at our 3rd Creative Glass Forum. Forum was organized within the project “Glassmaking tradition meets innovation” funded by the European Union.
Contributors to this feature include: Hristina Mikić, Igor Antić, Michael Ruh, Aleksandra Stanišić, Aleksandar M. Lukić, Meta Mramor, Jelena Nikolić, Dubravka Berc Prah, and Igor Jevtić.
THE THRILLING HISTORY OF GLASS: From Volcanoes to Spies
Today, most of us tend to take glass for granted, but its history has been so dynamic and full of twists that it inspired some of the most famous literary and cinematic works. Serbia joined the industrial production of glass only in the 19th century, with some entrepreneurs even resorting to industrial espionage.
THE GLASS INDUSTRY IN TIMES OF GLOBAL INSTABILITY: Factories Shutting Down in Some Places, Rising from the Ashes in Others
Years of global market turmoil have shaken the glass industry. Yet, while glassworks are closing in countries like Greece, Turkey is expanding its products into the European market. The Paraćin Glass Factory the sole survivor in the domestic market is fighting fierce competition through production modernization and plans for more energy-efficient solutions, addressing a sector where energy accounts for a significant portion of costs. The factory would be far more competitive if it used a higher percentage of recycled glass in production, but a state-regulated system for collecting used glass has yet to be established.
ARTISANAL AND ART GLASS WORKSHOPS: Experience is the Ultimate Trade Secret
Glass is mesmerizing yet demanding, leaving no room for error as proven by artisans who craft everything from stained glass and sculptures to installations and jewelry. Beyond the challenge of building a financially stable business plan (rather than one built on a “shaky foundation”), the industry faces issues with selective, tight-lipped knowledge sharing, alongside a growing generational gap as glassmaking schools close worldwide.
EDUCATION FOR THE GLASS INDUSTRY: Digital Apprentices Replacing Old Masters’ Secrets
The glassmaking school in Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia, is currently the only educational institution in the former Yugoslavia training specialized personnel for the glass industry. While Serbia no longer has such a school, the Serbian Glass Factory and the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering High School in Paraćin are collaborating to train new professionals tailored to industry needs. Thanks to the Creative Glass Serbia initiative, new generations can explore traditional techniques of Paraćin’s former master craftsmen through the educational game “Digital Glassmaking Apprentice” and bring them to life in a whole new way.
CREATIVE RECYCLING: A New Life for Glass Waste
The weakness of traditional commercial glass recycling models is that factories find it profitable only for standard, mostly packaging glass and only if an organized collection and sorting system exists. However, where industry falls short, artists step in, having developed their own techniques to breathe new life into various types of glass waste.