Global >> About O-I >> Glass Manufacturing

The invention of the automatic bottlemaking machine in 1903 by Michael J. Owens transformed glassmaking and served as the foundation for today's glass container industry. Building on the heritage of Michael Owens, O-I continues to drive innovation in the product we make and the process we use to make it.

How Glass Containers are Made     

	Step 1: The Glass Recipe - O-I uses all-natural raw materials - sand, limestone and soda ash - and recycled glass, called cullet, in its glass recipe, or batch mixture. Once combined, these ingredients are transferred to the furnace for melting.
	Step 2: Melting - The furnace heats the batch mixture to about 1,565 degrees Celsius, or 2,850 degrees Fahrenheit, creating molten glass.
	Step 3: The "Gob" - The molten glass is removed from the furnace, cooled to a uniform temperature and cut into "gobs." Each gob will form a single glass container.
	Step 4: Forming - Gobs are diverted into forming machines where they are molded into glass containers. Building on the original Owens bottle machine, O-I forming machines and moulds are proprietary designs.
	Step 5: Conditioning - Formed containers pass through the lehr, where they are reheated and gradually cooled to relieve any stresses in the glass. This conditioning step strengthens glass containers and helps prevent breakage.
	Step 6: Inspection - Each O-I glass container undergoes a rigorous inspection process to ensure the highest quality. Any rejected containers are re-melted as cullet.