Ten years of planning came to fruition today (June 6) as the £54million Glass Futures Global Centre of Glass Excellence opened its doors in St Helens, Merseyside.
World glass industry leaders gathered to witness the opening of the 165,000sqft centre, which will soon fire up its 30-tonne per day glass furnace and pilot production line to research ways of reducing carbon emissions by using alternative fuels in glass manufacturing.
The founding members of the project, Encirc, Guardian Glass, O-I Glass and Siemens, are also taking the first steps towards reaffirming their long-term commitment to the organisation with plans for each to become new Strategic Members and invest further funds on an annual basis.
Aston Fuller, General Manager at Glass Futures said: “To have our founders becoming new Strategic Members as we take over the completed Centre of Excellence is a testament to their ongoing vision and commitment over a decade.
“Back then they were taking a punt on conversations about an idea. Something that could potentially benefit the whole sector in the long-term, but they (and us) had no way of knowing if we’d reach this point. But we have.
“Not only have we attracted funding for significant carbon emission reduction research trials using alternative fuels, but we’ve successfully built our new Centre.
“The dream is now a reality. And as we look towards officially opening the building in the summer with our 30 tonne per day furnace and pilot line firing within the next 12 months, it’s only the beginning.”
Glass Futures has launched the new level of Strategic Membership and updated its membership structure. It will operate on a credit-based system which guarantees members access to the facilities at the pilot plant on an annual basis.
Aston added: “We have a varied and supportive membership including many companies across the supply chain who have helped us get this far and as a not-for-profit organisation serving the energy intensive industries, our value is in our research and development into sustainable, low-carbon glass to support our members.
“Strategic Membership not only gives existing and new members more credits to carry out trials on our experimental furnace but also greater influence over collaborative project trials, with the potential to massively benefit organisations whose own strategic aims are led by reducing carbon emissions and environmental commitments to shareholders and customers.”
www.glass-futures.org
