Glass bottle shortage

Zimbabwe is facing a shortage of standard bottles following the break-down of the Zimbabwe Glass Industries Limited G2 furnace, according to a report from The Herald.

Zimglass, the Kwekwe-based firm is one of the country's leading glass manufacturers. It needs about $3,2 million (€3.27m) to rebuild the electric furnace.

The firm runs two furnaces, the G1 furnace, specialising in the production of colour glass (brown bottle) and the G2 furnace, which specialises in clear glass.

African Distillers Limited said it was resorting to utilising alternative bottles to meet their clients' demands.

"Due to a breakdown experienced by our bottle supplier, we are unable to obtain our standard requirements. To continue supplying our customers we shall utilise alternative bottles,"​ said Afdis in a statement.

The G2 furnace has a capacity of producing close to 110 tonnes per day or about 120 000 standard bottles per day. It is also capable of producing many colour bottles depending on customer specification and requirements.

The furnace has been producing clear glass bottles like the ones used for bottling of fizzy drinks, jam and some salads.

Among its major customers, Zimglass supplies bottles to United Bottlers, Olivine Industries, Mutare Bottling Company, Cairns Food, Lyons Food, United Refineries and Pharmaceutical Companies, which use glass for their packaging.

Current stocks that Zimglass was holding are reported to be fast running out and would not last until the end of the year when the furnace is expected to be up again.

It would take about four months to rebuild the furnace if no unforeseen problems would crop up in the interim. This means the furnace would be running again by the end of November.