A press conference on the project of digital transformation of the glass industry was held at the headquarters of Steklarna Hrastnik on Friday, May 19. The importance of the CEDIT.SI project (Comprehensive Digital Transformation in the Glass Industry) for the development of the glass industry in Slovenia, as well as the wider economy, was discussed by Matjaž Han, Minister of the Economy, Tourism, and Sport, Peter Čas, the company’s general manager, and other representatives of the company and project coordinators. Steklarna Hrastnik has been putting a lot of effort and investment into the sustainable transformation of the company in recent years, which also includes the digital transformation of an otherwise rather traditional industry. As the coordinator of the CEDIT project, SI, in which a total of 10 consortium partners participate, will ensure the introduction of many advanced digital technologies that will significantly contribute to the further increase of the added value created. The investment is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan – NextGenerationEU.
The purpose of the CEDIT.SI project is to achieve a comprehensive digital transformation in the value chains of the life cycles of glass packaging, aligning with the objective of the public tender for the Digital Transformation of the Economy. The allocated investment incentives aim to actively contribute to the comprehensive digital transformation of business functions, with the goals of increasing and fostering productivity, optimizing and reducing production costs, and enhancing competitiveness through the implementation of innovative technologies.
In addition to advancing the digitization of glass production, the project encompasses the digital transformation of the consortium partners and the digitization of interactions with external stakeholders. Specifically, the project will introduce 8 advanced digital technologies and transform 14 business functions across 10 consortium partners. These partners include Steklarna Hrastnik d.o.o., Logix d.o.o., ITS d.o.o., Mikrocop d.o.o., Solvera Lynx d.o.o., Comsensus d.o.o., MeiaInteractive Franc Dolenc s.p., Meta Smart Factory d.o.o., RCR d.o.o., and Analitica d.o.o. The ultimate outcome of the project will be the enhancement of the competitiveness of all project partners, while also fostering open innovation and contributing to a sustainable society as a foundation for digital economy growth.
Minister Matjaž Han pointed out: “The global economy is currently undergoing a comprehensive transformation, with digitalization being one of its key aspects. The future competitiveness of our economy hinges on the speed and direction of digitalization. Therefore, the digitization of the economy stands as a crucial priority for our ministry across all three sectors: economy, tourism, and sports.” He further stated, “Over the past three years, the ministry, in collaboration with implementing organizations, has granted over 85 million euros in subsidies and vouchers for digitization purposes, benefiting approximately 1,900 digitization projects in various companies.”
The glassmaking transformation project is considered one of the essential prerequisites for enhancing the added value of the industry and the overall economy. The project’s activities have already commenced, with the participants initiating them in June of last year, and they are scheduled to continue until March 31, 2024. A total investment of EUR 4.6 million will be allocated to the project, out of which slightly less than EUR 2.2 million comprises non-refundable funds obtained through public tender.
“I am pleased that through this initiative, we will support Steklarna Hrastnik in undertaking a comprehensive digital transformation of glass production, encompassing the digital transformation of 9 partner companies as well. This progress will enable Steklarna Hrastnik to be not only ‘green’ and ‘creative’ but also a ‘smart’ company, aligning with the distinctive slogan of the Slovenian economy,” emphasized Minister Han.
Peter Čas, general manager of Steklarna Hrastnik, expressed the following during the occasion: “Thanks to such tenders and the attention from MGTŠ (Ministry of the Economy, Tourism, and Sport), we will be able to digitize various aspects of glass production throughout the project’s duration. This will include areas such as innovation, organizational and business management, as well as the market. Among the upcoming advancements are new or enhanced technologies and applications, innovative business models tailored to different markets, the development of machine learning models for optimizing production, big data solutions, pioneering methodologies, cost modernization, strengthening digital competencies among employees, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, reducing time-to-market for new innovative products, and other groundbreaking innovations.”
The investment is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan – NextGenerationEU.
