[Czech Republic] Containers: Sales In Glass Packaging Rise

Sales by the Czech glass sector have been in decline in recent years but production of container glass has been growing by 4-6% a year over the same period, according to the Czech Association of Glass and Ceramic Industries. Glass packaging for the food industry is in most demand, and 90% of which is made by Vetropack Moravia Glass (VMG) and Avirunion, both owned by multinational operators. Half of their output is exported. VMG, part of Swiss group Vetropack Holding, posted sales of CZK 2.1BN for 2005, (11% rise on 2004); the company produced 800M glass containers, and exported 42% of output. Avirunion is a unit of US group Owens-Illinois and in 2005 generated CZK 2.19BN in sales. The company exports 52% of its output.