AGP-Africa showcases glass value chain

As the continent’s premier glass packaging producer, Ardagh Glass Packaging-Africa took part in the “Made in Africa” exhibition in Johannesburg at this year’s AGOA Forum, and was honoured with a visit from South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), signed into United States law in May 2000, provided for the establishment of a United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (AGOA Forum). The AGOA Forum’s main objective is to promote resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth and development through strengthened trade and investment ties between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa.

Two thousand delegates were expected to attend the 20th Forum, including representatives from the governments of the USA and AGOA-eligible countries, the private sector, civil society, labour and key regional economic organisations.

The “Made in Africa” exhibition showcases regional value chains and encourages further investment. “Our footprint on the African continent has grown considerably over the past decade, with production facilities in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia,” said Paul Curnow, Chief Executive Officer of AGP-Africa, formerly Consol Glass. “Our recent acquisition by Ardagh Group, a global supplier of sustainable glass packaging for brand owners around the world, has enabled us to invest even further in the growth of the South African glass industry.”

“The R3 billion investment in two expansion projects at our Nigel facility will ensure that we have the capacity to provide sustainable glass packaging to support our customers’ current and projected growth in demand over the next few years. With the completion of the two expansion projects, our Nigel facility will be the largest glass container production facility in Africa and one of the largest and most efficient facilities globally. A true feather in our cap,” added Curnow.

Sustainability is key in Ardagh’s value chain: raw materials are responsibly sourced, and there is a focus on driving the amount of recycled glass used in new glass production. Forum delegates will have the opportunity to learn more about our ‘money4glass’ initiative which aims to promote glass recycling in South Africa and to empower glass recyclers by providing a trading platform that offers an easy, safe and fast way to buy and sell recycled glass.

“In line with the principles of AGOA, building a strong, successful and sustainable glass industry in Africa will contribute to much-needed job creation and inclusive economic growth,” added Curnow.