The General Glass Technology Training is an intensive one-week program that combines theory and hands-on experience to provide a comprehensive understanding of glassmaking, balancing both its scientific and practical aspects. Participants gain insight into raw materials, furnace operation, redox control, defect reduction, and batch-to-melt processes, while also exploring key topics such as sustainability, energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and future melting technologies. Designed for both newcomers and experienced professionals, the training equips attendees with the knowledge and skills to optimize glass quality, improve process efficiency, and address real-world production challenges, all while building valuable connections within an international network of glass industry experts. Based on CelSian's renowned Glass Technology Handbook and decades of industrial expertise, this course bridges fundamental glass science with practical manufacturing applications.


Attend if you are interested in:

  • Glass composition and glass chemistry
  • Raw materials and batch formulation
  • Glass melting and fining processes
  • Furnace operation and heat transfer
  • Redox control and color management
  • Glass defects and troubleshooting
  • Process control and production optimization
  • Energy efficiency and sustainability
  • Emission reduction strategies
  • Future glass melting technologies
  • Practical problem-solving in industrial glass production



What you take away:

  • Explain the fundamental principles of industrial glass production, from raw materials to finished glass.
  • Evaluate the impact of raw material selection on glass chemistry, product properties, and melting behaviour.
  • Understand furnace operation, heat transfer mechanisms, and key melting phenomena.
  • Identify and address redox-related issues affecting fining, foaming, heat transfer, and glass colour.
  • Analyze common glass defects and implement corrective actions to improve product quality.
  • Apply process control principles to optimize manufacturing efficiency and consistency.
  • Assess opportunities for energy savings, emissions reduction, and more sustainable glass production.
  • Compare conventional and emerging melting technologies and understand their role in the future of the glass industry.
  • Translate theoretical concepts into practical solutions for day-to-day production challenges.
  • Build confidence in communicating technical glassmaking concepts across operational, technical, and management teams.


Your trainers

Sjoerd Stelwagen

Sjoerd Stelwagen studied Chemical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology. Directly after his study he started as a Technical Specialist at the Furnace department of Ardagh Glass in Dongen, The Netherlands, where he later became Batch and Furnace Manager. He then evolved as EHS manager for the Benelux plants. With more than 16 years of practical glass making experience, he joined CelSian in 2021 to work as a project manager and trainer.

Arca Iyiel

Arca Iyiel studied metallurgical and materials engineering in Ankara (Middle East Technical University) and obtained her PhD from Istanbul Technical University in 2009. She worked as furnace designer and glass properties manager for Şişecam improving, trouble-shooting or developing new glass formulations for different businesses and products (float, container, glassware, e-glass and technological glasses). She joined CelSian as laboratory manager, furnace operations and trainer in 2024.


Aled Meulenbroek

Aled Meulenbroek obtained a Master’s degree in Applied Physics at Eindhoven university of technology, specializing in fluid mechanics. He also holds a PhD degree in mechanical engineering on “Marangoni effects on hydrogen bubbles on a microelectrode”. He is passionate about Marangoni effects, fluid dynamics, heat transfer and the behaviour of bubbles in glass. He is experienced in supervising/educating students in fluid dynamics. Aled joined CelSian as a CFD engineer where he models glass furnaces and as a trainer at the CelSian Academy.

Johan Lotter

Johan Lotter obtained a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand. He worked at PFG building glass as a furnace engineer, technical expert, and manager of the technical department of two plants. He developed a large experience in raw materials, melting and floating process and defect analysis. He is now working as a CFD Engineer and trainer at CelSian.

Marco van Kersbergen

Marco van Kersbergen studied chemical engineering at the HTS Eindhoven and has been working at CelSian since 1993. He designs and builds advanced laboratory setups that accurately simulate the conditions in glass furnaces. With his extensive experience in measurements at glass factories, he supports the glass industry and research. He is also an active member of TC-13, where he contributes to international knowledge development on emissions from glass furnaces, measurement methods and flue gas cleaning.

Eugenia Cruz

Eugenia Cruz earned her Chemical Engineering degree from the Universidad Tecnológica Nacional in Buenos Aires before pursuing postgraduate studies in Geology and Nanomaterials. She built a strong industrial background at V.A.S.A. (NSG/Saint-Gobain), where she worked in various technical and operational leadership positions, including Raw Materials Manager, Batch Manager, and Furnace Manager. She subsequently conducted Ph.D. research at the Glass and Ceramic Institute (CSIC) in Spain on innovative nano-glass-ceramic materials and became Furnace Manager for O-I in both Spain and France. Eugenia joined CelSian in 2026 as a glass scientist, combining hands-on manufacturing expertise with advanced research capabilities.

Training costs € 2750- per participant

Price excludes tax and duties.