Cavaliere Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman, Sisecam Chairman and Executive Member of the Board is elected The Glass Person of the Year 2023 by the Phoenix Award Committee for his long-term, significant and valuable contributions to the glass industry.
02.05.2023 – Sisecam’s Chairman and Executive Member of the Board Cavaliere Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman has been honored for his long-term valuable contributions to the glass industry and elected The Glass Person of the year 2023 by the Phoenix Award Committee. Outstanding personalities in the glass industry have been awarded with the Phoenix since 1971.
Prof. Dr. Kirman: Serving the glass industry is a way of serving humanity
“Glass is a miraculous material that has no substitute. With a history of 5000 years, glass has always been the most valuable material for civilizations. From this perspective serving the glass industry is a great way of serving humanity. It is the most sustainable solution for mitigating risks, and it promises a brighter future. I am very honored to be awarded one of the most prestigious awards of the glass industry." Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman said.
Phoenix Award Committee Chairman Lincoln Brown explained that “It is the purpose of the Phoenix Award Committee to select, each year, a person now living, who has been active in and has made significant and major contributions to the glass industry. This may be in the field of science, production or education relating to glass, and shall include glass containers, fiber glass, scientific glass, flat glass, tableware, art glass and electronic glass”. Chairman Brown further explained that Prof. Dr. Kirman had been elected for his relentless engagement not only for Sisecam but furthermore for the International Committee of Glass (ICG) together with Prof. Alicia Duran, another strong contributor for the “ International Year of Glass 2022” by the United Nations.
The award-giving ceremony will be held in Italy
Early April the Chairman of the Phoenix Award Committee Mr. Lincoln Brown personally visited Sisecam Headquarters to announce that Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman had been unanimously elected by the Phoenix Award Committee to be the “Glass Person of the Year 2023”. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman thanked Committee Chairman Brown for his personal coming and Dr. Diane Nicklas who takes care of the organization of this honorable ceremony. The award-giving ceremony will take place in Italy on 29 September 2023.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman, who has been serving the glass industry since 2006 was recognized for his contributions many times. In recognition of his outstanding lifetime contributions to the glass science and technology, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and promotion of domestic and international glass community, Prof. Dr. Kirman was honored with the “President’s Award” by the International Commission on Glass (ICG) in 2019. ICG is the most reputable and recognized worldwide organization in the field of glass with representatives from thirty-three countries.
Prof. Dr. Kirman has been awarded with the honor of “Cavaliere” of “the Order of the Star of Italy,” nominated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and bestowed by the President of the Italian Republic, for his contributions to the strengthening of economic bilateral relations and mutual investments between Italy and Turkey.
Prof. Dr. Kirman has also been honored by the President of Tatarstan with the “Medal of Valorous Labor” in recognition of his valuable contributions to the development of investments and economic cooperation with Tatarstan. He has been honored with the “Medal of Appreciation” for his contributions to the economic development of the Targovishte Region in Bulgaria. He was also awarded the “Chairman of the Year” at the Le Fonti Awards, the award platform of one of the leading economics media organizations in Italy.
About Şişecam
Şişecam was founded in 1935 to establish Turkey’s glass industry in line with the vision of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. Today, Şişecam is a strong global player in the fields of glass and chemicals. Şişecam is the only global company operating in all core areas of glass production – including flat glass, glassware, glass packaging and glass fiber. Currently, Şişecam ranks among the world’s top two manufacturers of glassware and the top five producers of glass packaging and flat glass. Şişecam is one of the three largest soda producers in the world and the world leader in chromium chemicals.
Şişecam plays a leading role in the flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, chemicals, automotive, glass fiber, mining, energy and recycling business lines. Şişecam operates production facilities in Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Russian Federation, Georgia, Ukraine, Egypt, India, and the USA in addition to Turkey.
Şişecam is taking major steps towards its goal of becoming one of the world's top three manufacturers in its main fields of activity. Driven forward by its highly competent human resources and smart technologies, Şişecam is continuously transforming its digital infrastructure and corporate culture taking into account the needs of the future. With 87 years of experience and 22,000 employees, Şişecam conducts production activities in 14 countries on four continents and operates a sales network in more than 150 countries worldwide. Şişecam is moving forward on its growth journey in line with its Global Excellence strategy and powered by an inclusive approach that supports the development of its entire ecosystem. Şişecam takes responsibility for protecting the planet, empowering society and transforming life with its CareforNext strategy, which is compliant with and centered around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Şişecam uses all its experience and competencies to promote sustainable development in every aspect.
